Felicien constantly wandered round the little house, wild with grief, eager for news.

Each time that he saw anyone come out he almost fainted from fear.

Thus it happened that on the morning when Hubertine ran to the church to ask for the sacred oils, he learned that Angelique could not live through the day.

The Abbe Cornille was not at the Sacristy, and he rushed about the town to find him, still having a last hope that through the intervention of the good man some Divine aid might come.

Then, as he brought back with him the sought-for clergyman, his hope left him, and he had a frightful attack of doubt and anger.