"He lies! He is crazy!" cried the vicomte, in despair.
But none of those who had a quarter of an hour before overwhelmed him with congratulations condescended to look at the wretch, and with a moan Talizac sank back in a chair.
In the meantime Irene had busied herself with Louison, and now triumphantly exclaimed:
"She lives, she breathes, she can still be saved! Mamma," she said, turning quickly to her mother, "we will take the poor child home with us and nurse her."
The countess assented with tears in her eyes; she was proud of her daughter.
"The poor thing is my sister," said Fanfaro in a low voice to Irene.
Irene bent over Louison and kissed her pale forehead. This was her answer to Fanfaro's information.
Talizac had now recovered his senses. He tore open the door and angrily cried:
"Is there no one here who will show this impudent fellow out? Come in, lackeys and servants; lay hands on him!"