But no--Corporal Bavois still lingered by his side.
"And you, my friend," he asked, sadly, "what are you going to do?"
"Follow you," replied the old soldier. "I have a right to a home with
you; that was agreed between your father and myself! So do not hurry,
the young lady does not seem well, and I see the village only a short
distance away."
CHAPTER XXXVI
Essentially a woman in grace and beauty, as well as in devotion and
tenderness, Marie-Anne was capable of a virile bravery. Her energy and
her coolness during those trying days had been the admiration and the
astonishment of all around her.
But human endurance has its limits. Always after excessive efforts comes
a moment when the shrinking flesh fails the firmest will.
When Marie-Anne tried to begin her journey anew, she found that her
strength was exhausted; her swollen feet would no longer sustain her,
her limbs sank under her, her head whirled, and an intense freezing
coldness crept over her heart.
Maurice and the old soldier were obliged to support her, almost carry
her.
Pages:
482
483
484
485
486
487
488
489
490
491
492
493
494
495
496
497
498
499
500
501
502
503
504
505
506