"Certainly."
"Then, for heaven's sake! retire."
"Come, sirs," said the prince of science, "we shall be deprived of a precious study, but I'll keep you informed of the case."
And Dr. Griffon, accompanied by his numerous attendants, continued his rounds, leaving Saint Rémy and Madame d'Harville with Claire de Fermont.
CHAPTER XX.
FLEUR-DE-MARIE.
During the scene which we have just described, Claire, Still in her fainting fit, was delivered to the tender care and attentions of Clémence and the sisters; one of the latter sustained her drooping head, while Lady d'Harville, leaning over the bed, wiped away with her handkerchief the cold sweat from the brow of the patient. Profoundly affected, Saint Rémy contemplated this touching picture, when a sudden thought struck him, and he drew near Clémence, and said in a low tone: "And the mother of this unfortunate, madame?"
The marchioness turned toward Saint Rémy, and answered, with sadness, "She has no longer a mother, my lord."
"Dead!"
"I only learned last night, on my return, the address of Madame de Fermont, and her alarming situation. At one o'clock in the morning I was with her, accompanied by my physician. Oh! sir, what a picture! poverty in all its horrors—and no hope of saving the expiring mother!"