"And all this time Edmond was sleeping soundly; it was too dark to see him, but by listening close, Pierre heard his soft and regular breathing. What could he do? what _dared_ he do? or was it useless to attempt anything? thought poor Pierre, till he began to fear the night would pass in this sort of paralysis of terror. At last his brain began to recover itself a little. He moved himself up into a sitting position, trembling at every rustle in the hay, and at last, getting on to his feet, having slipped off his shoes, he managed to creep out at the door, without its creaking. The fresh cold air did him good, and he rapidly regained his presence of mind. There would be no difficulty in rousing Edmee, he hoped, for he knew her to be the lightest of sleepers, and she was already uneasy from the events of the evening. The little room where she was, opened out of the kitchen where they had supped, and by good chance the house door was only latched. So far, all was easy, and in five minutes the poor child, who had only partly undressed, was standing shivering beside her young protector. She took it all in, in an instant. "`Pierrot,' she said, `there is nothing to do; there is no chance of escape for us. There is only one thing to do, save yourself. They may mean to take you too, or to kill you at once,' and Edmee shuddered, `if you make any defence. Go, Pierre--go home to your father and mother, you have no right to throw your life away uselessly.' "But Pierre did not seem to hear her words. "`Edmee,' he replied, `I can save _you_--we could start off at once, and hide in the woods till they have lost all trace of us--we should be hours in advance of them. But oh, Edmee, it is Edmond! And I promised--I promised the Countess not to desert him.' "`No,' said Edmee, determinedly, `we _cannot_ desert him.' "They then consulted together--how to wake him without being heard by the two men was the terrible question. He was a heavy sleeper, especially when tired, and from his delicate health and nervousness he was always irritable if awakened before his sleep was completed. "`He is sure, _certain_ to scream out crossly, and then all will be over,' said Edmee, her teeth chattering with cold and terror. "`Then there is only one thing to be done,' said Pierre. `Have you your bag ready, Edmee?' The girl nodded as she held it up. `You have nothing left in the house? That is right; my bundle and Edmond's are just as they were--only we must leave some money to pay for our supper and lodging. Here, I will slip in and place it on the table. Now we must both creep back into the barn--you to help me in case of need. I have here a large, strong handkerchief; I will gag Edmond before he has time to make a sound--he is so feeble it will be easily done; then if you can take the baggage I will carry him on my back till we are well out of hearing, and then explain all.'