‘The sight, as you may imagine, filled her with despair, and, convinced that Théodore could no longer love her under such conditions, she ardently prayed for death.
‘In vain her father and the Comte Hadick tried to reassure her. Haunted by the horrible dread of being no longer worthy of her betrothed, she refused to be comforted, and the young girl was simply dying of despair, there being not the faintest hope left.
‘Nevertheless, one morning, when she was nestling in the arms of her father, who bade her live at least for him, the servant who had accompanied Théodore to the war suddenly rushed into the apartment, announcing the immediate coming of his master, whose voice, a moment afterwards, was heard outside.
‘“Constance, Constance, where art thou?”
‘At that voice so dear to her, the young girl, lacking the courage to fly, covered her face with her handkerchief and her hands.
‘“Do not come near me, Théodore, I have lost my beauty. I have no longer anything to offer thee but my heart.”
‘“What do I hear? But look at me, Constance!”
‘“No, no, thou wouldst only recoil at seeing me.”
‘“What does it matter, if thy love is the same, Constance. Constance, I can no longer see thee.”
‘She raises her eyes and looks. Théodore was blind. The charge of a musket had deprived him of his sight.