He remembered how the child had often accompanied him in his flight, and how he had gained strength, and, it seemed to him, a kind of luck, from the touch of that small hand in his.

Surely it was necessary now that at least his mind should be at rest regarding HIM on the eve of an affair of this moment.

Perhaps he might never see him again.

At any other time, and under the influence of any other emotion, he would have scorned such a sentimentalism--he who had never troubled himself either with preparation for the future or consideration for the past.

But at that moment he felt both.