“Madame,” he said, “it is the fever.”

CHAPTER THE THIRTEENTH.

A FEVER-HOSPITAL.

The fever!  What fever?  Was it any thing more than some childish malady brought on by exhaustion?  I stood silent, in amazement at his solemn manner, and looking from him to the delirious child.  He was the first to speak again.

“It will be impossible for you to go to-day,” he said; “the child cannot be removed.  I must tell Jean to put up the horse and char a bancs again.  I shall return in an instant to you, madame.”

He left me, and I sank down on a chair, half stupefied by this new disaster.  It would be necessary to stay where we were until Minima recovered; yet I had no means to pay these people for the trouble we should give them, and the expense we should be to them.  Monsieur le Cure had all the appearance of a poor parish priest, with a very small income.  I had not time to decide upon any course, however, before he returned and brought with him his sister.

Mademoiselle Therese was a tall, plain, elderly woman, but with the same pleasant expression of open friendliness as that of her brother.  She went through precisely the same examination of Minima as he had done.

“The fever!” she ejaculated, in much the same tone as his.  They looked significantly at each other, and then held a hurried consultation together outside the door, after which the cure returned alone.

“Madame,” he said, “this child is not your own, as I supposed last night.  My sister says you are too young to be her mother.  Is she your sister?”

“No, monsieur,” I answered.

“I called you madame because you were travelling alone,” he continued, smiling; “French demoiselles never travel alone before they are married.  You are mademoiselle, no doubt?”

An awkward question, for he paused as if it were a question.  I look into his kind, keen face and honest eyes.

“No, monsieur,” I said, frankly, “I am married.”

“Where, then, is your husband?” he inquired.

“He is in London,” I answered.  “Monsieur, it is difficult for me to explain it; I cannot speak your language well enough.  I think in English, and I cannot find the right French words.  I am very unhappy, but I am not wicked.”

“Good,” he said, smiling again, “very good, my child; I believe you.  You will learn my language quickly; then you shall tell me all, if you remain with us.  But you said the mignonne is not your sister.”

“No; she is not my relative at all,” I replied; “we were both in a school at Noireau, the school of Monsieur Emile Perrier.  Perhaps you know it, monsieur?”

“Certainly, madame,” he said.

“He has failed and run away,” I continued; “all the pupils are dispersed.  Minima and I were returning through Granville."’

“Bien!  I understand, madame,” he responded; “but it is villanous, this affair!  Listen, my child.  I have much to say to you.  Do I speak gently and slowly enough for you?”