He held the lantern up and peered about him. It almost fell from his grasp at the sight which met his gaze. In an instant, he was kneeling beside Vivienne, holding the lantern so that the light would shine full in her face. Her eyes were closed; her form motionless. He took one of her hands, which felt cold and dropped lifeless from his grasp.
“My God, can she be dead?” He started to his feet and looked about him. “Who has done this?” he cried.
His voice must have been heard by Vivienne, for she showed signs of returning consciousness. Victor again knelt beside her. She opened her eyes and looked up at him. He put his arm about her and raised her to a sitting posture.
“What has happened?” he asked. “How came you to be in this plight?”
Vivienne for the first time recognised her condition. She would say nothing against her brother, so she answered:
“I must have been attacked and robbed of my clothing.” Then the contemplation of her situation overcame her, temporarily, and, abashed and ashamed, she burst into tears, crying piteously:
“What shall I do? How shall I get home?”
Victor removed the long cloak which he wore and passed it to her. Then, turning his face away, he said:
“Throw that about you—it will protect you. Fear nothing, for a true friend awaits your commands.”
Vivienne did as he suggested, wrapping about her the great cloak, which reached nearly to her feet.