"Eh, helmsman," Michael shouted, without awaiting the Major's answer, "steer down to the Norwegian."
The Major considered it useless to protest.
Two hours later the vessels were within speaking distance: the stranger was bound for Helsingfors, and the captain consented to take the passenger offered him.
The Major was consequently transported on board, with everything belonging to him.
"Now, Captain," said Michael, when the boat had returned, "where shall we steer?"
"Let us go to the islands," the Count answered sadly, "henceforth we shall only find a shelter there and taking a last glance at the coast of France, whose outline was beginning to fade away in the distant horizon," he muttered, with a sigh, and concealing his face sorrowfully in his hands, "Farewell, France!"
In these two words was exhaled the last human feeling that remained at the bottom of the heart of this man who had been so tried by adversity, and who, vanquished by despair, was going to ask of the new world the vengeance which the old world so obstinately refused him.