"Oh!" murmured Aveline's father, "he comes from the river"; saying which he opened.
Jocelyn entered with quick steps. At the sight, however, of Mazurec's wife, held in a swooning condition in the arms of Alison, he stopped short, turned to Caillet, and whispered to him: "He is saved!"
"He?" cried the serf stupefied. "Saved?"
"Silence!" said Jocelyn, pointing to Aveline. "Such news may prove fatal if too suddenly conveyed."
"Where is he? Where did he take refuge?"
"Adam is bringing him hither.... He can hardly stand.... I came ahead of them.... He is weeping incessantly.... We came across the field.... The curfew has sounded. We met nobody. Poor Mazurec is saved—"
"I shall go out to meet him," said Caillet, panting with emotion. "Poor Mazurec! Dear son! Dear child!"
Jocelyn approached Aveline, who, with her arms around Alison's neck was sobbing bitterly. "Aveline," said Jocelyn to her, "listen to me, please. Have courage and confidence—"
"He is dead," murmured Aveline moaning and not heeding Jocelyn. "They have drowned him."
"No ... he is not dead," Jocelyn went on saying. "There is hope of saving him."