"And what did he say?" demanded Catherine.
"He had only time to cry, 'To arms! We are hemmed in! Jérome sends me. Labarbe is dead! The Germans have passed the Blutfeld!'"
"He was a gallant fellow," exclaimed Catherine.
"Yes, a gallant fellow," replied Frantz, with his head bent down.
Then they relapsed into silence, and for some time the sledge swept through the winding valley. Now and then they were obliged to stop, the snow was so deep—when three or four mountaineers would take the horse by the bridle—and so they continued their way.
"All the same," said Catherine, suddenly rousing up from her reverie, "Hullin might have told me."
"But if he had mentioned these two attacks," interrupted the doctor, "you would have wanted to remain."
"And who can hinder me from doing what I like? If it pleased me to get out of the sledge this very moment, should I not be free? I had forgiven Jean-Claude, but I am sorry for it!"
"Oh, Maman Lefèvre, supposing he is killed while you are saying that!" murmured Louise.
"She is right, poor child," thought Catherine; and then quickly added, "I said I was sorry for it; but he is such a good man, that one cannot be angry with him. I forgive him with all my heart; in his place I should have done the same."