"I will do nothing to endanger his life."
"It is a promise?"
"I promise to do nothing that will endanger his life," she repeated carefully.
"She is still determined to sacrifice herself," he thought. "Mordieu! what an idea! Barabant will make her forget."
That night, toward eleven, he conducted the girl to Les Madelonnettes and restored her to Barabant. Only the lantern of the jailer lighted the sleeping halls as Nicole, with a cry, flew to her lover's arms. In their happiness they forgot their protector; but Dossonville, well content, withdrew, drawing after him the guard.
"You seem different," Barabant said at last. "What is it?"
"I have been away from you."
"How could you think of sacrificing yourself?" he said reproachfully.
"I was away from you," she repeated.