“Maurice d’Escorval and Corporal Bavois.”
“My God!”
“And it is a miracle that he has not been upstairs.”
“But whence does he come? Why have we received no news of him?”
“I do not know. He has been here only five minutes. Poor boy! after I told him that his father was safe, his first words were: ‘And Marie-Anne?’ He loves her more devotedly than ever. He comes with his heart full of her, confident and hopeful; and I tremble—I fear to tell him the truth.”
“Oh, terrible! terrible!”
“I have warned you; be prudent—and now, come in.”
They entered the room together; and Maurice and the old soldier greeted Jean with the most ardent expressions of friendship.
They had not seen each other since the duel on the Reche, which had been interrupted by the arrival of the soldiers; and when they parted that day they scarcely expected to meet again.
“And now we are together once more,” said Maurice, gayly, “and we have nothing to fear.”