But if it be the love-philtre, you have but to come with me, and you will find her----" He did not finish the sentence, but a shrug of his shoulders and a mysterious smile filled the gap.
Imperceptibly Blondel had raised himself in his chair.

The gleam of hope, once lighted in his eyes, was growing bright.

"How ?" he asked.
"How shall we find her?
If it be the philtre only that she has taken--as you say ?" "If it be the philtre?
The mother, you mean ?" "Yes." "Mad! Mad!" Basterga repeated with decision, "and beside herself.

As you had been," he continued grimly, "had you by any chance taken the _aqua Medeae_." "That you kept in the steel box ?" "Ay." "You are sure it was not the _remedium_ ?" Blondel leaned forward.

If only he could believe it, if only it were the truth, how great the difference! No wonder that the muscles of his lean throat swelled, and his hands closed convulsively on the arms of his great chair, as he strove to read the other's mind.
He had as soon read a printed page without light.