'Your presence would only make matters worse! I will go myself, and what one man can do against many, I will! Louis, give your mistress your arm and take her to the house.

Take her to Madame.' 'But you will go ?' she cried.

And before I could stay her--I swear I would have stopped her if I could--she raised my hand and carried it to her trembling lips.

'You will go! Go and stop them! Stop them, and Heaven reward you, Monsieur!' I did not answer; nay, I did not once look back, as I crossed the meadow; but I did not look forward either.

Doubtless it was grass I trod, and the wood was before me with the sun shining aslant on it; doubtless the house rose behind me with a flame here and there in the windows.