"You must have compassion on me, Olivier," said Gerald, despondently. "I really believe I must be mad."
The conversation was here interrupted by the sudden arrival of Madame Barbançon, who rushed into the arbour, crying:
"Oh, M. Olivier, M. Olivier!"
"What is the matter, Madame Barbançon?"
"The commander!"
"Well?"
"He has gone out!"
"What, suffering as he is to-day!" exclaimed Olivier, anxiously. "It was very imprudent. Didn't you try to prevent him from going, Mother Barbançon?"
"Alas! M. Olivier, I really believe the commander is not in his right mind."
"What?"