"Yes; the sight of that little angel cannot fail to produce a happy result." "But he knows that she is his daughter." "And that knowledge did not prevent him from embracing her!" "But he fled when he noticed that someone saw him kissing his child!" "He has just escaped death; and that circumstance sometimes induces salutary reflections--when one has seen the grave so near at hand!" "Well! I place myself in your hands, chevalier; take my dear Blanche--I will remain here, and unless the count asks for me I will not venture to show myself to him; but I shall be happy once more, if, from this room, I hear my husband kiss his child." Jarnonville took little Blanche by the hand, after she had been told not to make any noise; she seemed already to understand that she was to have a share in the cure of the gentleman who was lying there, although Bathilde had not dared to tell her to call him _father_. The chevalier returned softly to the count's room. Hearing some movement in the bed, he left Blanche hidden by the curtains, and approached the invalid, who had opened his eyes and was gazing about the room as if he were trying to collect his thoughts, to marshal his recollections. At sight of Jarnonville, Léodgard, more amazed than ever, faltered: "What! is it you, Jarnonville? For heaven's sake, explain! What has happened?" "You were very dangerously wounded. I found you lying on the ground, under an arcade on Place Royale." "Oh, yes! yes! I remember--my duel--with the Marquis de Santoval.--And you had me brought here? But I recognize this chamber--it used to be mine; I am at the Hôtel de Marvejols." "To carry you farther would have been impossible; you would have died on the way; and besides, where else would you have found the devoted, incessant care and attention with which you have been surrounded here for three weeks past?" Léodgard made no reply; he let his head fall back on the pillow; but his expression had become sad, his brow was clouded. Thereupon Jarnonville beckoned to Blanche, who had remained behind the curtains, afraid to stir. The little girl came forward, climbed the bed steps beside the bed, then suddenly showed her sweet face to Léodgard, saying: "I see the gentleman!" An abrupt change took place in Léodgard's whole expression; at first he started in surprise, but almost instantly a sentiment of well-being, like the calm after a storm, found its way into the invalid's heart. He smiled at Blanche and tried to hold out his hand to her. But he was still too weak to use his arm, and could only say: "Is it you, dear child?--Ah! it is very good of you to come to see me. You must come often." Then his eyes closed--the emotion had exhausted his strength; but the weakness that he felt was in no wise dangerous, and it was soon succeeded by a refreshing sleep.