"Let us think no more of this separation, Doctor Dufour."
"Think, then, madame, what it is to remain at the mercy of a wretch who will kill you some day."
"But at least, before that happens, he will not have taken my son away from me."
"He will take him away from you, madame. Did he not wish to do so yesterday?"
"Oh, my God!" cried Marie, falling back on her pillow with such an expression of grief and despair that the doctor ran to her, exclaiming:
"In the name of Heaven, what is the matter with you?"
"Doctor Dufour," said Marie, in a feeble voice, closing her eyes and overcome by grief, "I am utterly exhausted. No matter which way I look at the future, it is horrible; what shall I do, my God! what shall I do? The hour approaches when my husband will return and take away my son with him. Oh, for my sake, put yourself between Frederick and his father! Oh, if you only knew what I dread, I—"
And the words expired on her lips, for the unhappy woman again sank into unconsciousness.
The doctor hastened to ring the bell violently, then he returned to the help of Madame Bastien.
The servant not replying to the bell, the doctor opened the door and called: