‘Unhurt, Eustacie!  Our child is unhurt!’ Berenger said, with an agonized endeavour to be calm; but for the moment her instinct was so entirely absorbed in examining into the soundness of her child’s limbs, that she neither saw nor hear anything else.

‘Eustacie,’ he said, laying his hand on her arm, she started back, with bewildered eyes.  ’Eustacie—­wife? do you not know me?  Ah!  I forgot that I am changed.’

‘You—­you—­’ she gasped, utterly confounded, and gazing as if turned to stone, and though at that moment the vibration of a mighty discharge of cannon rocked the walls, and strewed Philip’s bed with the crimson shivers of St. John’s robe, yet neither of them would have been sensible of it had not Humfrey rushed in at the same moment, crying, ‘They are coming on like friends, sir!’

Berenger passed his hand over his face.  ’You will know me WHEN—­IF I return, my dearest,’ he said.  ’If not, then still, thank God!  Philip, to you I trust them!’

And with one kiss on that still, cold, almost petrified brow, he had dashed away.  There was a space of absolutely motionless silence, save that Eustacie let herself drop on the chancel step, and the child, presently breaking the spell, pulled her to attract her notice to the flowers.  ’Mother, here are the soucis for the poor gentleman’s broth.  See, the naughty people had spoilt all the paths, and I rolled down and tore my frock, and down fell the beads, but be not angry, mother dear, for the good gentleman picked them up, and carried me up the bank.’

‘The bank!’ cried Eustacie, with a scream, as the sense of the words reached her ears.  ’Ah! no wonder!  Well might thy danger bring thy father’s spirit;’ and she grasped the little one fervently in her arms, murmuring, ’Thank, thank God, indeed!  Oh! my precious one; and did He send that blessed spirit to rescue thee?’

’And will you tie up my frock? and may I put the flowers into the broth?’ chattered Rayonette.  ’And why did he kiss me and hug me so tight? and how did he know what you say over me as we fall asleep?’

Eustacie clasped her tighter, with a convulsive, shudder of thankfulness; and Philip, but half hearing, and barely gathering the meaning of her mood, ventured to speak, ‘Madame—–­’

As if touched by an electric shock, Eustacie started up, as recalled to instant needs, and coming towards him said, ’Do you want anything, sir?  Pardon one who has but newly seen a spirit from the other world—­brought by his child’s danger.’  And the dazed, trance-like look was returning.

‘Spirit!’ cried Philip.  ’Nay, Madame, it was himself.  Ah! and you are she whom we have sought so long; and this dear child—­no wonder she has Dolly’s face.’

‘Who—­what?’ said Eustacie, pressing her temples with her hands, as if to retain her senses.  ’Speak; was yonder a living or dead man—­ and who?’

’Living, thank God! and your own husband; that is, if you are really Eustacie.  Are you indeed?’ he added, becoming doubtful.