One of my presentiments had thus unconsciously escaped me. I knew that a company of strange reapers had passed through the village that very morning, on their way to a neighboring district.
Eva gave a shriek.
“Robbers! there are robbers, then. Oh! I never thought of that danger.”
“But, madame, my only mention of them was to tell you there were none.”
“Oh! you would never have thought of it, doctor, had you not supposed this misfortune possible. William! my William! why did you leave me!” and she wept.
I stood there, vexed at my blunder, hesitating before every thought, stammering out some disconnected words, and feeling that to cap my misfortune, my eyes were filling with tears. At last a thought struck me.
“Madame Meredith,” said I, “I cannot see you thus, and stay by your side without a consoling word. I will go in quest of your husband; I will, at all risks, take one of the roads leading through the woods; I will search every where, will call him by name, and go, if necessary, as far as the town itself.”
“Oh, thanks! thanks, my friend!” Eva cried; “take with you the gardener and the servant, search in every direction.”
We quickly returned to the parlor, and Eva rung the bell loudly several times. All the residents of the little house hurried into the room.
“Follow Dr. Barnabé,” said Madame Meredith.