“Horrible, horrible!” exclaimed the abbe.

I heard the sound of this last word, and with a smile I repeated it like an echo.

Some huntsmen now appeared.  Edmee was carried away.  I believe that I caught sight of her father walking without help.  However, I should not dare to affirm that this was not a mere extravagant vision (for I had no definite consciousness of anything, and these awful moments have left in my mind nothing but vague memories, as of a dream), had I not been assured that the chevalier got out of the carriage without any help, walked about, and acted with as much presence of mind as a young man.  On the following day he fell into a state of absolute dotage and insensibility, and never rose from his arm-chair again.

But what happened to myself?  I do not know.  When I recovered my reason, I found that I was in another part of the forest near a little waterfall, to the murmur of which I was listening mechanically with a sort of vague delight.  Blaireau was asleep at my feet, while his master, leaning against a tree, was watching me attentively.  The setting sun was sending shafts of ruddy gold between the slender stems of the young ash-trees; the wild flowers seemed to be smiling at me; and birds were warbling sweet melodies.  It was one of the most beautiful days of the year.

“What a gorgeous evening!” I said to Marcasse.  “This spot is as beautiful as an American forest.  Well, old friend, what are you doing there?  You ought to have awakened me sooner.  I have had such hideous dreams.”

Marcasse came and knelt down beside me; two streams of tears were running down his withered, sallow cheeks.  On his face, usually so impassive, there was an ineffable expression of pity and sorrow and affection.

“Poor master!” he said, “delirium, head bad, that’s all.  Great misfortune!  But fidelity not changed.  Always with you; if need be, ready to die with you.”

His tears and words filled me with sadness; but this was owing to an instinctive sympathy enhanced by the weak state of my nerves, for I did not remember a thing.  I threw myself into his arms and wept like himself; he pressed me to his bosom, as a father might his son.  I was fully conscious that some frightful misfortune had overtaken me, but I was afraid to learn what it was, and nothing in the world would have induced me to ask him.

He took me by the arm and led me through the forest.  I let myself be taken like a child.  Then a fresh sense of weariness came over me, and he was obliged to let me sit down again for half an hour.  At last he lifted me up and succeeded in leading me to Roche-Mauprat, where we arrived very late.  I do not know what happened to me during the night.  Marcasse told me subsequently that I had been very delirious.  He took upon himself to send to the nearest village for a barber, who bled me early in the morning, and a few minutes later I recovered my reason.