Felicite began to reassure Madame Aubain.

But, one evening, when she returned home after an errand, she met M.Boupart's coach in front of the door; M.
Boupart himself was standing in the vestibule and Madame Aubain was tying the strings of her bonnet.

"Give me my foot-warmer, my purse and my gloves; and be quick about it," she said.
Virginia had congestion of the lungs; perhaps it was desperate.
"Not yet," said the physician, and both got into the carriage, while the snow fell in thick flakes.

It was almost night and very cold.
Felicite rushed to the church to light a candle.

Then she ran after the coach which she overtook after an hour's chase, sprang up behind and held on to the straps.