This celestial voice was no other than that of Captain Horace, giving the signal to his faithful Sans-Plume to descend something.
The mother superior and Dolores, notwithstanding the difference of the emotions which agitated them, raised their eyes simultaneously when they heard the voice of Captain Horace.
But let us recall the situation of the walk and garden in order to explain the miracle about to be manifested to the sight of the recluse.
Two of the largest branches of the trees on the boulevard outside extended like a gibbet, so to speak, above and beyond the coping of the convent wall. The night was so clear that Dolores and the mother superior saw, slowly descending, sustained by cords, an Indian hammock in the bottom of which Captain Horace was extended, throwing with his hand a shower of kisses to Dolores.
When the hammock was within two feet of the earth, the captain called, in a ringing voice: "Stop!"
The hammock rested motionless. The captain leaped out of it, and said to the young girl:
"Quick, we have not a moment to lose! Dear Dolores, get into this hammock at once and do not be afraid."
"You will kill me first, villain!" cried the mother superior, throwing herself upon the young girl, whom she held within her arms, at the same time crying out, "Help! help!"
At this moment lights could be seen coming and going at a distance from the bottom of the garden.
"Here comes somebody at last!" screamed Sister Prudence, redoubling her cries of "Help! help!"