"In the same dry, hard manner she stood by while Edmee, in a passion of grief, threw herself on the bed where lay her mother, and kissed for the last time the soft white face already cold with the iciness of death. Sister Angelique had drawn Edmond aside, and was whispering good advice to him, which he seemed to receive more meekly than might have been expected; but even she, trained as she was to Self-control through the most painful scenes, broke down when Edmee at last tore herself away from the Countess's room, and sobbed her farewell in the kind Sister's arms. "`Good-bye, my child. The good Father and I will do all we can--trust us. In more peaceful days you may be able to visit her grave. God bless you, my sweet child, and take comfort in the thought that to-day's sorrow might have come in a more terrible form.' "`I know, I know,' said Edmee. `I am ready now, Marguerite. Poor Marguerite!' she added, almost caressingly; `how good you are! I want to be resigned, but you can understand how hard it is.' "But Pierre, who was standing close to her, heard the girl mutter under her breath, `No, I understand nothing. I have no heart, no feelings any more, thank God.' "The boy shuddered, but intense pity softened his horror at her words. `She knows not what she says,' he thought. `Her actions show how good and generous a heart she had.' "Marguerite accompanied them only to the door, and then repeated her directions. "`Speak to each other in an ordinary way as you go along,' she said. `You must hide your grief till there is no one to remark you. Speak to her of Valmont, of country things, Pierre; it is best for you to speak with your country accent,' though, to tell the truth, he had but little, for in Touraine, as you know, the pronunciation, even of the peasants, is unusually good. "They reached the place indicated without difficulty, and on saying they were there to wait for the Citizeness Marguerite, the short stout woman at once led them into a little back parlour, where she served them a good meal. Poor things! they were very hungry by this time, and it was a better dinner than any of the three had tasted for many days. (Often has my mother told me how strangely shocked she was at herself for being so hungry--in such circumstances).