"It was Coursegol—the person for whom my letter was intended. Shall you see him again?"
"His evident distress excited my pity, and I promised to aid him in his search. He agreed to come to the office at ten o'clock this morning, ostensibly to seek employment in the prison; and I promised to make some excuse for taking you there at the same hour, so you can see each other; but you are not to exchange a word or even a sign of recognition."
So in a few moments Dolores found herself face to face with Coursegol. Of course, they did not attempt to exchange a single word: but, by a look, Coursegol made her understand that he was employing every effort to effect her deliverance; and she returned to her cell cheered by the thought that a devoted heart was watching over her and over Philip. The next day, when she was least expecting it, the door opened and Coursegol entered.
"I have taken Aubry's place to-day," he remarked.
Dolores sprang towards him, and he clasped her in his arms. They had been separated only three days, but those three days had seemed a century to both.
"Have you seen Philip?" inquired Dolores.
"I saw him yesterday, after leaving here, my child."
"Is he still in the Madelonnettes?"
"Yes; but next week he will be brought here."
Nothing could have afforded Dolores greater pleasure than this intelligence; and she gratefully thanked the protector whose devotion thus alleviated the hardships of her lot; then he told her what had occurred since her arrest, and how he had compelled Vauquelas to obtain an order for the release of those he had betrayed.