"But where will you wait? You cannot wait here. The heat would weaken you. In your condition it would be dangerous."
"He spoke of going. It hurt me for a moment, I remember. I had a wish to stay here forever then. It seemed to me that this little bit of earth and rock was the happiest place in all the world. Yes, I will go, Emile, but I shall come back. I shall bring our child here."
He did not combat this intention then, for he was too thankful to have gained her assent to the departure for which he longed. The further future must take care of itself.
"I will take you to Italy, to Switzerland, wherever you wish to go."
"I have no wish for any other place. But I will go somewhere in Italy. Wherever it is cool and silent will do. But I must be far away from people; and when you have taken me there, dear Emile, you must leave me there."
"Quite alone?"
"Gaspare will be with me. I shall always keep Gaspare. Maurice and he were like two brothers in their happiness. I know they loved each other, and I know Gaspare loves me."
Artois only said:
"I trust the boy."
The word "trust" seemed to wake Hermione into a stronger life.