"Yes," he said simply. "And it makes all the difference in the world to me."
And at that moment, in spite of all, I felt something that was not far from affection toward the man.
"Père Antoine will marry you?" I asked.
"Yes," he replied.
"And her father?"
"Is safe in the château, playing with his wheel and amassing a fortune in his dreams."
"One word more," I continued. "Mme. d'Epernay is very ill. She was struck by one of those bullets that you fired through the door. Wait!" for he had started. "I think that she will live. The wound cannot have pierced a vital part. But we must be very gentle in moving her. You had better bring the sleigh here, and you and I will lift her into it. And then—I shall not see her again."