Paul, on his side, had no idea of what he was about to learn on reading the letter; and he opened the envelope with a shudder.
What Élisabeth wrote was:
"Paul,
"I cannot make up my mind to leave Ornequin. A duty keeps me here in which I shall not fail, the duty of clearing my mother's memory. Do understand me, Paul. My mother remains the purest of creatures in my eyes. The woman who nursed me in her arms, for whom my father retains all his love, must not be even suspected. But you yourself accuse her; and it is against you that I wish to defend her. To compel you to believe me, I shall find the proofs that are not necessary to convince me. And it seems to me that those proofs can only be found here. So I shall stay.
"Jérôme and Rosalie are also staying on, though the enemy is said to be approaching. They have brave hearts, both of them, and you have nothing to fear, as I shall not be alone.
Élisabeth Delroze."
Paul folded up the letter. He was very pale.
Bernard asked:
"She's gone, hasn't she?"
"No, she's there."