Second Part Chapter 57

THE COMTESSE DE L'ESTORADE TO THE COMTE DE L'ESTORADE
THE CHALET,

August 7th.

My love,--Take the children away to Provence without me; I remain with
Louise, who has only a few days yet to live. I cannot leave either her
or her husband, for whose reason I fear.

You know the scrap of letter which sent me flying to Ville d'Avray,
picking up the doctors on my way. Since then I have not left my
darling friend, and it has been impossible to write to you, for I have
sat up every night for a fortnight.

When I arrived, I found her with Gaston, in full dress, beautiful,
laughing, happy. It was a heroic falsehood! They were like two lovely
children together in their restored confidence. For a moment I was
deceived, like Gaston, by the effontery; but Louise pressed my hand,
whispering: "He must not know; I am dying."

An icy chill fell over me as I felt her burning hand and saw the red
spots on her cheeks. I congratulated myself on my prudence in leaving
the doctors in the wood till they should be sent for.

"Leave us for a little," she said to Gaston. "Two women who have not
met for five years have plenty of secrets to talk over, and Renee, I
have no doubt, has things to confide in me."

Directly we were alone, she flung herself into my arms, unable longer
to restrain her tears. "Tell me about it," I said. "I have brought with me, in case of need,
the best surgeon and the best physician from the hospital, and
Bianchon as well; there are four altogether."