Followed by Comtois, who refused the purse Philip offered, he went to the carriage and was gone.
Simultaneously, as if the departure made the swooning of Andrea cease, she opened her eyes. For a while she was dumb, and stunned, and her look was frightened.
“Heavens, have we but had her half restored—with her reason gone?” said Philip.
Seeming to comprehend the words, Andrea shook her head. But she remained mute, as if in ecstasy. Standing, one of her arms was levelled in the direction in which Balsamo had disappeared.
“Come, come, it is high time our worry was over,” said the baron. “Help your sister indoors my son.”
Between the young gentleman and Nicole, Andrea reached the rear house, but walked like a somnambulist.
“Philip—father!” she uttered as speech returned to her at last.
“She knows us,” exclaimed the young knight.
“To be sure I know you; but what has taken place?”
Her eyes closed in a blessed sleep this time, and Nicole carried her into her bedroom.