"I thought that his wound amounted to nothing?"
"We thought so at first, monsieur; but he has had an attack of gout which has made him very feverish, and increased his pain."
"Well, my child, to give him some relief in his suffering, take this letter to him, and when he is calm, and you two are alone, give it to him."
"Very good, monsieur; and shall I say that it is from you?"
"Yes, yes, you may act without secrecy now. Au revoir, my child; I hope that the contents of this letter, bringing him good news, will restore your—your neighbor's health."
The count took his leave; Violette carefully bestowed in her bosom the letter which he had handed her, and returned to the sick man.
About noon, Roncherolle, his pain having subsided, felt more calm, and tried to smile at the girl who was nursing him, saying to her:
"You are alone, dear child; have our young men left you?"
"Yes, monsieur, they are at their work; but I am not sorry, for you are comfortable now and I have something to tell you—that is to say, something to give you."
"Something to give me? without their knowledge?"