"As long as you wish, mademoiselle; give your orders and I will obey them," said the young man.
"You see, doctor," said Bertha, smiling, "you have two willing helpers."
The doctor went out to his vehicle and returned with a bottle of Sedlitz water and a package of mustard.
"Here," he said to Michel, giving him the bottle, "uncork that and make him drink half a glassful every ten minutes. And you, Rosine," giving her the mustard, "mix that into a paste with hot water; it is to be put on the soles of your father's feet."
The sick man had dropped back into the state of apathetic indifference which preceded the excitement Bertha had calmed by assuring him that Jean Oullier would take his place. The doctor cast a look at him, and seeing that in his present state of quiescence he could safely be left to the care of the young baron, he went eagerly up to Bertha.
"Mademoiselle de Souday," he said, "since it seems that we hold the same opinions, what news have you?"
"Madame left Massa on the 21st of last April, and she ought to have landed at Marseille on the 29th or 30th. This is now the 6th of May. Madame must have disembarked, and the whole South ought by this time to have risen."
"Is that all you know?" asked the doctor.
"Yes, all," replied Bertha.
"You have not read the evening papers of the 3d?"