Her little face lighted up, and she seemed to expand with happiness, as she looked.
"Papa! Papa!" she murmured.
The two boats came together, by oars they were held fast; and I passed the child over to the silent, eager father.
"Oh! My little daughter!—Marie!" he said, then. "You are safe! Your mamma will be so happy! So happy!"
Madame Cambon was on the Pearl, Monsieur told us. She was worn to a shadow with anguish. The good news must trickle to her gently. It was for that he came to meet us.
A strange thing it seems, that emotions of happiness can be as deadly as the tragic. Monsieur Cambon's boat lingered behind, as ours moved to the Pearl. Madame Cambon lay on a hammock set up under the awning. Dark patches were under her eyes. She tried to smile a greeting.
"I am happy that you are here," I began.
I did not rightly hear her murmured reply; and I had no mind for it anyway, whatever it was, for my mind was in a rack—how to proceed?
"You must not give in that way," I protested.
"How can I help?" she said.