"No," she said, "stay. We need you still; you must help Rosine to prepare M. Roger's prescriptions while I talk with him about the case." Then to the doctor she said, in a low voice, "Keep them busy, and you can tell me what you know, and I will tell you what I know." Turning again to Michel she added, in her sweetest voice, "I know, my dear friend, that you will be willing to help Rosine." "As long as you wish, mademoiselle; give your orders and I will obey them," said the young man. "You see, doctor," said Bertha, smiling, "you have two willing helpers." The doctor went out to his vehicle and returned with a bottle of Sedlitz water and a package of mustard. "Here," he said to Michel, giving him the bottle, "uncork that and make him drink half a glassful every ten minutes. And you, Rosine," giving her the mustard, "mix that into a paste with hot water; it is to be put on the soles of your father's feet." The sick man had dropped back into the state of apathetic indifference which preceded the excitement Bertha had calmed by assuring him that Jean Oullier would take his place. The doctor cast a look at him, and seeing that in his present state of quiescence he could safely be left to the care of the young baron, he went eagerly up to Bertha. "Mademoiselle de Souday," he said, "since it seems that we hold the same opinions, what news have you?" "Madame left Massa on the 21st of last April, and she ought to have landed at Marseille on the 29th or 30th. This is now the 6th of May. Madame must have disembarked, and the whole South ought by this time to have risen." "Is that all you know?" asked the doctor. "Yes, all," replied Bertha. "You have not read the evening papers of the 3d?" "We do not get any papers at the château de Souday," she said. "Well," said the doctor, "the whole thing failed." "Is it possible! Failed?" "Yes, Madame was utterly misled." "Good God! what are you telling me?" "The exact truth. Madame, after a prosperous voyage in the 'Carlo Alberto,' landed on the coast at some little distance from Marseille. A guide awaited her and took her to a lonely house in the woods. Madame had only six persons with her--" "Oh! go on; go on!" "She sent one of those persons to Marseille to inform the leader of the movement that she had landed and was awaiting the result of the promises which had brought her to France--" "Well?" "That evening the messenger came back with a note, congratulating the princess on her safe arrival, and saying that Marseille would rise on the following day--" "Yes; what then?" "The next day an attempt was made, but Marseille would not rise at all. The people would take no part in the affair, which failed utterly." "And Madame?" "It is not known where she is; but they hope she re-embarked on the 'Carlo Alberto.'" "Cowards!" muttered Bertha. "I am nothing but a woman; but oh! I swear to God that if Madame comes into La Vendée I will set an example to some men. Good-bye, doctor, and thank you."