"You will leave me! You will leave me! Florian, oh, my love! What will become of me? What shall I do? What shall I do?"
As if in answer, the feeble cry of the infant rose again.
The man said not a word. He raised his hand and pointed silently to the red-draped door. Then he turned from her and went out into the night.
Chérie stood still, gazing at the empty doorway through which he had passed.
Then as the child still wept, she went to him.
Humbly she went, and took her woman's place beside the cradle.
CHAPTER XXVI
The bugle bidding the inhabitants of Bomal to enter their homes and lock their doors blew shrilly as Louise hurried through the darkening, deserted streets, holding Mireille's chilly hand in hers. She spoke in soft, hurried tones, as if the child could hear her, as if she could understand. "You shall see, Mireille, you shall see when you enter your home—you will recognize it and remember. When I open the door and you step suddenly into the familiar place, I shall see the light break in your eyes like a sudden dawn. You will turn to me and you will smile—or weep! I do not know which will give me the greater joy—your tears or your smile. Then you will open your sweet lips—and speak...."