"That is Geneviève," he thought. And he repeated with emotion, "Geneviève . . . Geneviève. . . ."
Meanwhile, Mrs. Kesselbach gradually recovered consciousness. She was astonished at first, seemed not to understand. Then, her memory returning, she thanked her deliverer with a movement of the head.
He made a deep bow and said:
"Allow me to introduce myself. . . . I am Prince Sernine. . . ."
She said, in a faint voice:
"I do not know how to express my gratitude."
"By not expressing it at all, madame. You must thank chance, the chance that turned my steps in this direction. May I offer you my arm?"
A few minutes later, Mrs. Kesselbach rang at the door of the House of Retreat and said to the prince:
"I will ask one more service of you, monsieur. Do not speak of this assault."
"And yet, madame, it would be the only way of finding out . . ."