“Madame Catherine is innocent at last,” cried Bruno, unable longer to restrain himself, as they neared the house. “Thank God! she is innocent.”
Sidonie heard these words and staggered as though struck to the heart. No word of gratitude for her noble effort to save him crossed his lips. His one thought was for Catherine.
CHAPTER XIX.
CATHERINE’S LAST WORDS.
Forty-eight hours later the gamekeeper was buried. L’Ours, leaving the cemetery with Sidonie, passed the cottage of Mother Mathurine.
“Bruno,” said he, stopping at the gate, “Madame Catherine wishes to see you.”
“Me?” asked Bruno, turning pale.
Sidonie visibly trembled as, noticing his expression, she inwardly said: “How he loves her!”
“What does she want of me?” demanded Bruno, with glowing face, when he had recovered his self-possession.