Nanette sprang forward. "Valérie, Valérie, what is the matter?" But Valérie did not hear her.
Nanette caught her hand. It was icy cold. "Valérie, Valérie!" She let the cold hand go, and touched her cheek.
But Valérie did not feel the touch.
Nanette flew to the door and opened it and called into the passage, "Jeanne-Marie, Jeanne-Marie!"
The old Bretonne nurse came instantly out from her door down the passage.
"Jeanne-Marie, quick, something has happened to mademoiselle."
The old woman passed her, and was beside Valérie. "God and the saints! It has came again!" she cried. She put her arms about Valérie and the girl fell stiffly against her shoulder. "Oh, my lamb, my little lamb!"
"Is she dead?" implored Nanette. "Jeanne-Marie, is she dead?"
"No, no, it has happened before. Go call Francine, quick."