She spoke gaily, made him sit down in a folding-chair, and insisted on putting a soft cushion at his back. Her manner was cheerful, almost eagerly kind and full of a camaraderie rare in a woman, yet he noticed a change in her since they stood together waving the brands by the tower. And he said to himself:
“The husband—perhaps he’s not so pleased at my appearance. I wonder how long they’ve been married?”
And he felt his curiosity to see “Monsieur Androvsky” deepen.
While they waited for him Domini made De Trevignac tell her the story of his terrible adventure in the dunes. He did so simply, like a soldier, without exaggeration. When he had finished she said:
“You thought death was certain then?”
“Quite certain, Madame.”
She looked at him earnestly.
“To have faced a death like that in utter desolation, utter loneliness, must make life seem very different afterwards.”
“Yes, Madame. But I did not feel utterly alone.”
“Your men!”