She drew more closely round her the heavy, fur-lined cloak Cécile had brought, and herself opened the casement which led to the terrace and avenue.
In silence Père Mouet and the two girls followed her.
At that moment danger was too pressing—for Cécile at least—to feel acute pain at leaving her home.
The darkness without would have been intense had it not been for the moonlight, which but partially succeeded in piercing the misty gloom of the lande which stretched before them.
A long, weary walk it must be, though not one of the four who set out on it lacked courage. But what was happening at Varenac?
Who would they find awaiting them in the Cave of Lost Souls?
Those were the questions which stirred their pulses with growing dread.
It was well they had their cloaks, for it was cold enough here, facing the night wind across the bleak moors.
But they did not complain.
Keeping close together, they tramped on, Madame de Quernais walking out as bravely as any of them, disdaining proffered help over the uneven ground.