After that he could say no more. He may have put up a different prayer for her in his own heart, but of it she knew nothing. He said no more to her; he promised the poor, half-stupefied mother that some one should be sent for the night, and then those two went away together. It was evening now, the sun had set, a golden glimmer just lingered on the plains. Far away, in other parts of bright France, the goats would be trooping home from breezy uplands in tinkling herds, soft sweet breezes tossing the hay, fresh mountain streams gurgling along their rocky beds, dewy grass waving, leaves rustling: here, the hot thirsty air still filled the narrow streets, the summer evening brought no relief from the invisible pestilential cloud that hung and penetrated, and stifled. Together those two went--under the quaint houses, so sadly stricken, along the rough pavement, over which many little feet were never now any more to patter--solemnly and silently, because their hearts were very full, and a great shadow hung over them. They passed under an ancient gateway, crossed a bridge; and, in another few minutes, the two--still silent--went together up a flight of steps, and into the hospital of St Jean. CHAPTER FIFTEEN. "They serve God well, Who serve His creatures." _The Lady of La Garaye_. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The first person who confronted them within the hospital doors was Nannon. She had learned Therese's intentions from Madame Roulleau, and had come away at once with the hope of changing what she fancied was no more than a girl's foolish excited whim. Therese's delay had frightened her even more than the first hearing of her scheme; and now, when she saw her enter with M. Deshoulieres, after a momentary sensation of relief, her heart sank with the conviction that if M. Deshoulieres was in favour of her being so cruelly sacrificed, not all the talking in the world would take her away from the place. And, indeed, Therese stopped her first exclamation. "Hush, Nannon. It is of no use. Every thing is decided." The old woman was so aghast that she fell back at once upon her strongest card, which she had intended reserving for the end of her argument. "Mademoiselle--listen then--mademoiselle, what would M. Fabien say?" "M. Fabien!" M. Deshoulieres, who was a little in advance, turned round and said this. They all looked at one another for a moment, and then he went on slowly and quietly: "She is right. We have not thought enough. I implore you, mademoiselle, for the sake of Monsieur Saint-Martin, to return with her to the upper town." The light from a lamp fell on his head. Nannon said to herself admiringly, "After all he has a noble face, that man." Therese answered quickly, holding herself at her full height as she spoke, "Do you think I have not thought of him? Do you think any one I loved would keep me back?"