And the mother and son mingled their tears and their kisses in a last embrace.
Frederick, as he left his mother's arms, saw David, in spite of his firmness, weeping.
"Mother!" said Frederick, showing his friend to her. "Look at him."
"Save his body as you have saved his soul!" cried the young woman, pressing David convulsively against her palpitating bosom. "Bring him back to me or I shall die."
David was worthy of the chaste and sacred embrace of this young woman, who saw her son about to brave death.
It was a weeping sister that he pressed to his heart.
Then, taking Frederick by the hand, he darted in the direction of the cart; both gave a last look at Madame Bastien, whose strength was exhausted, as she sank upon one of the rustic benches in the grove.
This attack of weakness past, Marie rose and stood, following her son and David with her eyes as long as she could see them.
CHAPTER XXIX.
IN a quarter of an hour the little boat was lifted from the cart, and soon after was set afloat on the dead waters of the inundation.