I felt, as I looked at her, a sudden pain at my heart, and a shuddering fear, such as a man, awaking to find himself falling over a precipice, might feel.

How these women loved the man! For a moment I could not speak.

When I found my voice it sounded dry and husky.
'He is a safe confidant,' I muttered.

'He can neither read nor write, Mademoiselle.' 'No, but--' and then her face became fixed.

'They are coming,' she whispered.