The Countess opened her mouth to cry “No!” but the word died half-born on her lips; and when the steward looked at her, uncertain what she had said, she nodded.
“Yes, go!” she muttered. She was pale.
“Yes, man, go!” cried the minister, his eyes burning. And he almost pushed the other out of the boat.
The next second the craft floated from the bank, and began to drift downwards. La Tribe waited until a tree interposed and hid them from the two whom they had left; then he leaned forward.
“Now, Madame!” he cried imperiously. “In God’s name, now!”
“Oh!” she cried. “Wait! Wait! I want to think.”
“To think?”
“He trusted me!” she wailed. “He trusted me! How can I do it?” Nevertheless, and even while she spoke, she drew forth the packet.
“Heaven has given you the opportunity!”
“If I could have stolen it!” she answered.