Anne Royaume! I was afraid," the lad continued, speaking with a little more confidence, as he saw that the Syndic made no movement to strike him, "and she said that she would look for me.

She could go to his room, and run little risk.

But if he had caught me there he would have killed me! Indeed he would!" Louis repeated desperately, as he read the storm-signs that began to darken the Syndic's face.
"You told her then ?" "I could not do it myself! I could not indeed." He cowered lower; but he fared better than he expected.

The Syndic drew a long fluttering breath, a breath of returning life, of returning hope.
The colour, too, began to come back to his cheeks.

After all, it might have been worse.