Iberville, nodding, came to the table where stood the husband and wife,
and Perrot left the room. He picked up a sword and laid it beside
Gering, then waved his hand towards the door.

"You are free to go, monsieur," he said. "You will have escort to your
country. Go now--pray, go quickly."

He feared he might suddenly repent of his action, and going to the door,
he held it open for them to pass. Gering picked up the sword, found the
belt and sheath, and stepped to the doorway with his wife. Here he
paused as if he would speak to Iberville: he was ready now for final
peace. But Iberville's eyes looked resolutely away, and Gering sighed
and passed into the hallway. Now the wife stood beside Iberville. She
looked at him steadily, but at first he would not meet her eye.
Presently, however, he did so.

"Good-bye," she said brokenly, "I shall always remember--always."

His reply was bitter. "Good-bye, madame: I shall forget."

She made a sad little gesture and passed on, but presently turned, as if
she could not bear that kind of parting, and stretched out her hands to
him.

"Monsieur--Pierre!" she cried, in a weak, choking voice.

With hot frank impulse he caught both her hands in his and kissed them.
"I shall--remember," he said, with great gentleness.