"I did. I have just come from a sickroom, which my terror drove me to after my servants had rescued me from being consumed in the flames which destroyed my only home. I hear that Monsieur Estvan was killed, and I searched in every hospital in Richmond, and every jail, for some tidings of the monster in case he might have been captured. Now, alas! I find my son in the agonies of death."
She knelt again by the boy and kissed his cold lips, smiling so stilly.
St. Udo left the hapless pair together, and strode to the doorway of the shed for a breath of Heaven's pure air; the despair, the misery behind him were wringing his heart, adamantine as he was wont to call it.
St. Udo suddenly heard the beat of hoofs, and in a moment a Confederate officer dashed in front of the tent and reined up.
"Eh bien! Monsieur, mon ami," chirped a familiar voice. "Well met, my colonel. Par ma foi. I like this extravagantly—yes."
And the Chevalier de Calembours, dismounting from a magnificent war-horse, performed a profound obeisance.
"You unhanged villain!" shouted St. Udo, scornfully.
A white face peered out from behind Colonel Brand. Madam Estvan glided out, and put a nervous hand upon the chevalier's arm.
"Come here," whispered the wan lips, sadly.
He went with her into the tent, and looked at the sweet young face, sealed with the smile of death, of a noble soldier lad.