"No, his pulse yet beats, though as feebly as possible.

Oh, what he must have suffered, and how I love him for not having given in!" In pain though I was, a smile of joy broke over my face on this, and I opened my eyes.
"Praise the Lord, he revives!" said my mother.

"How art thou, my son ?" "I shall do well, my mother--," but I could not speak another word.
I closed my eyes, and felt about to faint.
"Jacques, dear Jacques," said Madeleine, whispering energetically and distinctly, close to my ear, "be of good courage, and God will help thee.

I have found a place of safety in the vaults of Les Arenes, whither Gabrielle has already taken the children; and now, if you can but master the pain enough to get there with such help as we can give you, before the dragoons return, we shall all be safe." "Oh, most certainly I will," said I, trying to rise; but when I attempted to set my feet to the ground, I was in such anguish that I nearly fell down; but what will not "needs must" effect?
The poor galley-slaves at Marseilles and Dunkirk can tell how, when it seems impossible for them to pull another stroke, the taskmaster's whip, mercilessly applied, proves that they not only can pull still, but pull well too.

I am ashamed to say how these two beloved women had almost to carry me, a stout youth; and even all their strength might have been insufficient but for the potent spur of the dragoons' return.