The stranger, without lifting her veil, had seated herself upon her bed in an attitude which indicated intense fatigue or despondency. Aubry gave her a few directions to which she listened abstractedly, without replying or even looking at the jailer, who then withdrew. Dolores, after a moment, approached the stranger and said:
"Since we are to be together for a time more or less long, shall we not be friends?"
At the sound of the girl's voice, the stranger trembled; then she rose and looked Dolores full in the face with a strange intentness.
"Shall we not be friends!" she repeated. "Dolores, do you not know me?"
It was Dolores' turn to tremble. She clasped her hands, uttered a cry of astonishment in which one could detect both consternation and joy; then, springing forward, she hastily lifted the veil which hid the face of the speaker.
"Antoinette! Antoinette!"
"Dolores, you here!"
They were again in each other's arms after four long years of separation, kissing each other, questioning each other, smiling and weeping by turns.
"Tell me about yourself!" cried Antoinette.