The marquis did not know at once what rescuing angel had come to his assistance.
He freed himself from the body of Sancho, whose bent knees were still pressing upon him. He threw out his arms at random, thinking that he was attacked by a new enemy, who had missed him.
His arms came in contact with Mario, who was struggling to lift him, exclaiming in a heart-broken tone:
"Father, my poor father, are you dead?—No, you embrace me. Are you wounded?"
"No, it is nothing! just a little suffocated, that is all," replied the marquis. "But what has happened? Where is that infamous knave?"
"I think that I must have killed him," said Mario, "for he doesn't move."
"Do not trust him, do not trust him!" cried Bois-Doré, rising with an effort, and dragging his beloved child to the foot of the stairs. "So long as the serpent breathes, he tries to bite!"
At that moment Clindor arrived with a torch, and they saw Sancho lying inert and disfigured. He was still breathing, and one of his great fierce eyes, glaring confusedly through the blood, seemed to say: "I die twice over since you survive me!"
"What! my poor David, did you kill this Goliath!" cried the marquis, as soon as he began to collect his thoughts.
"Ah! father, I killed him two minutes too late," replied Mario, who was like one intoxicated, and whose grief returned with his memory; "I think that my Mercedes is dead!"