“There has been an accident,” Victor returned. “A bridge broke under his train.”
“But you do not know—” began Lommel.
“Yes,” the other interrupted; “M. de Brue, who was on the train and escaped with a broken arm, was in the same compartment with Pierre. He rode through on the engine that came in for help. Pierre had told him I was to meet him, and so when M. de Brue saw me he stopped to say that the soldier was struck on the chest and killed instantly.”
Dr. Lommel stood regarding his companion with terror and compassion in his look.
“O mon Dieu!” he said; “poor Mère Marchette!”
“It will kill her,” Victor responded.
“That is nothing,” was the doctor’s reply. “It is not death, but the agony she will suffer.”
At that moment the nurse came out of the ward and hurried down the corridor to join them.
“M. le Docteur,” she said, “I beg your pardon, but the excitement of Mère Marchette is so great that I venture to suggest that her grandson hurry.”