On entering their room I found the invalid in the surgeon’s hands.  He pronounced the wound not to be dangerous, in spite of its depth; suppuration had taken place without setting up inflammation—­in short, the young man only wanted time and rest.  When the doctor had gone I congratulated the patient on his condition, advising him to be careful what he ate, and to keep silent.  I then gave Mdlle.  Desarmoises her father’s letter, and I said farewell for the present, telling them that I would go to my own room till supper-time.  I felt sure that she would come and speak to me after reading her father’s letter.

In a quarter of an hour she knocked timidly at my door, and when I let her in she gave me back the letter and asked me what I thought of doing.

“Nothing.  I shall be only too happy, however, if I can be of any service to you.”

“Ah!  I breathe again!”

“Could you imagine me pursuing any other line of conduct?  I am much interested in you, and will do all in my power to help you.  Are you married?”

“Not yet, but we are going to be married when we get to Geneva.”

“Sit down and tell me all about yourself.  I know that your father is unhappily in love with you, and that you avoid his attentions.”

“He has told you that much?  I am glad of it.  A year ago he came to Lyons, and as soon as I knew he was in the town I took refuge with a friend of my mother’s, for I was aware that I could not stay in the same house with my father for an hour without exposing myself to the most horrible outrage.  The young man in bed is the son of a rich Geneva merchant.  My father introduced him to me two years ago, and we soon fell in love with each other.  My father went away to Marseilles, and my lover asked my mother to give me in marriage to him; but she did not feel authorized to do so without my father’s consent.  She wrote and asked him, but he replied that he would announce his decision when he returned to Lyons.  My lover went to Geneva, and as his father approved of the match he returned with all the necessary documents and a strong letter of commendation from M. Tolosan.  When my father came to Lyons I escaped, as I told you, and my lover got M. Tolosan to ask my hand for him of my father.  His reply was, ‘I can give no answer till she returns to my house!’

“M.  Tolosan brought this reply to me, and I told him that I was ready to obey if my mother would guarantee my safety.  She replied, however, that she knew her husband too well to dare to have us both under the same roof.  Again did M. Tolosan endeavour to obtain my father’s consent, but to no purpose.  A few days after he left Lyons, telling us that he was first going to Aix and then to Turin, and as it was evident that he would never give his consent my lover proposed that I should go off with him, promising to marry me as soon as we reached Geneva.  By ill luck we travelled through Savoy, and thus met my father.