With a bound the old poacher disappeared in the forest.
A servant had approached Aunt Medea, and was speaking to her with great animation.
Blanche hastened toward them.
“Ah! Mademoiselle,” exclaimed the servant, “we have been seeking you everywhere for three hours. Your father, monsieur le marquis—mon Dieu! what a misfortune! A physician has been summoned.”
“Is my father dead?”
“No, Mademoiselle, no; but—how can I tell you? When the marquis went out this morning his actions were very strange, and—and—when he returned——”
As he spoke the servant tapped his forehead with the end of his forefinger.
“You understand me, Mademoiselle—when he returned, reason had fled!”
Without waiting for her terrified aunt, Blanche darted in the direction of the chateau.
“How is the marquis?” she inquired of the first servant whom she met.