"Now, seat this poor little creature near the stove that she may be thawed out!" Hubertine had already placed the child close to the fire, and they both looked at her as she slowly regained consciousness.

As the snow that covered her clothes melted it fell in heavy drops.

Through the holes of her great shoes they could see her little bruised feet, whilst the thin woollen dress designed the rigidity of her limbs and her poor body, worn by misery and pain.

She had a long attack of nervous trembling, and then opened her frightened eyes with the start of an animal which suddenly awakes from sleep to find itself caught in a snare.

Her face seemed to sink away under the silken rag which was tied under her chin.