"What is it? What's the matter?"
At his voice, Louise lifted a wild face, stared at him as though she did not recognise him, then rose with a cry, and flung herself upon him.
"Take care! I'm wet through."
For all answer, she burst out crying, and trembled from head to foot.
"What is it, darling? Were you afraid?"
But she only clung to him and trembled.
Amalie was weeping with equal vehemence; he ordered her out of the room. Notwithstanding his dripping clothes, he was forced to support Louise. In vain he implored her to speak; it was long before she was in a state to reply to his questionings. Outside the storm still raged; it was a wild night.
"What was it? Were you afraid? Did you think I was lost?"
"I don't know—Oh, Maurice! You will never leave me, will you?"
She wounded her lips against his shoulder.