Onésime sighed, but submitted with breathless impatience to Segoffin's careful examination, made with the aid of a lamp held by Suzanne, an examination which satisfied him that the young man could sit up an hour or two without the slightest danger.
"You are positive there is no danger, Segoffin?" asked Dame Roberts, anxiously.
"None whatever."
"But why not postpone this conference for awhile?"
"Because there is a person counting the hours, nay, the very minutes, until he hears from us."
"You mean M. Cloarek, do you not?"
"I tell you there is some one not far from here to whom this decision means life or death," said Segoffin, without answering the question.
"Life or death!" cried Suzanne.
"Or rather hope or despair," added Segoffin, gravely, "and that is why, Suzanne, I ask your nephew to make the effort to go down-stairs. Now, if you will go to mademoiselle, I will help M. Onésime dress."
Ten minutes afterward Onésime, leaning on Segoffin's arm, entered the little parlour where Sabine was awaiting him.