"Marquis, shall I call the carriers?" asked Pierre, gently.
The nobleman nodded, and soon Fanfaro's body was laid upon a bier, which was carried to the Fougereuse mansion by four men. The marquis and Pierre followed the procession with uncovered heads. When they arrived at the Fougereuse mansion, Fanfaro was laid beside his brother, and the marquis then said:
"There is only one thing left for me—I must bury my sons and then die myself."
"But Madame la Marquise," said Pierre, anxiously.
"The marquise will have the same wish as I have to suffer for our sins," said the marquis, frowning; "and—"
At this moment Baptiste rushed into the room, and with a frightened look exclaimed:
"Madame la Marquise is nowhere to be seen, and her maid fears she has done herself an injury—she was talking so strangely."
Pierre and the marquis exchanged a silent look, and then the nobleman gently said:
"She did right. Of what further use was she in the world? Oh, I envy her!"