seconds after he was hurrying as fast as _detours_ would allow him
to Blaise's farm. An hour and a half later, Dame Perrine, closely
blindfolded for the last mile, was dragged up the spiral staircase,
and ere the bandage was removed heard Eustacie's voice, with a
certain cheeriness, say, 'Oh! nurse; my son will soon come!'

The full moon gave her light, and the woman durst not have any
other, save from the wood-fire that Nanon had cautiously lighted
and screened. The moonshine was still supreme, when some time
later a certain ominous silence and half-whisper between the two
women at the hearth made Eustacie, with a low cry of terror,
exclaim, 'Nurse, nurse, what means this? Oh! He lives! I know he
lives! Perrine, I command you tell me!'

'Living! Oh, yes, my love, my Lady,' answered Perrine, returning
towards her; 'fair and perfect as the day. Be not disquieted for a
moment.'

'I will--I will disquiet myself,' panted Eustacie, 'unless you tell
me what is amiss.'

'Nothing amiss,' said Nanon, gruffly. 'Madame will give thanks for
this fair gift of a daughter.'

It must be owned the words felt chill. She had never thought of
this! It was as if the being for whom she had dared and suffered
so much, in the trust that he would be Berenger's representative
and avenger, had failed her and disappointed her. No defender, no
paladin, no so to be proud of! Her heart and courage sank down in
her weakness as they had never done before; and, without speaking,