"Can you walk, Mademoiselle de Rochefort?"
Edmé placed her hand upon her side to still the sharp shooting pain, and answered "Yes."
"Good; the road is only a few rods from here, but we must follow it at least two miles to the west."
"I shall be able to do it!"
As she uttered these words the pain in her side increased. She felt her strength leave her, and but for the support of Tournay's arm she would have fallen to the ground.
"She has fainted," cried Tournay in consternation.
"No," she remonstrated feebly, struggling with the numbness that was overpowering her. "It is the cold. Let me rest for a moment; I shall be better soon."
"Mademoiselle, you must walk, else you will die of cold," exclaimed Tournay. "Take her by the arm, Gaillard."
Instead of complying with the request, Gaillard stood with head bent forward peering up the road into the night gloom.
"Gaillard! man, do you not hear me?"