"
At that coarse and stupid expression, I glanced at Madame Pierson; her
swollen eyes, her pallor, her attitude, all clearly expressed fatigue and
the exhaustion of long vigils.
"Ah! my poor man!" said the farmer's wife, "may God reward you!"
I could hardly contain myself, I was so angered by the stupidity of these
brutes who were capable of crediting the work of charity to the avarice
of a cure. I was about to reproach them for their ingratitude and treat
them as they deserved, when Madame Pierson took one of the children in
her arms and said with a smile:
"You may kiss your mother, for she is saved."
I stopped when I heard these words.
Never, was the naive contentment of a happy and benevolent heart painted
in such beauty on so sweet a face. Fatigue and pallor seemed to be gone,
she became radiant with joy.
A few minutes later, Madame Pierson told the children to call the
farmer's boy to conduct her home. I advanced to offer my services; I told
her that it was useless to awaken the boy as I was going in the same
direction, and that she would do me an honor by accepting my offer. She
asked me if I was not Octave de T-----.
I replied that I was, and that she doubtless remembered my father. It
struck me as strange that she should smile at that question; she
cheerfully accepted my arm and we set out on our return.
CHAPTER IV
WE walked along without a word; the wind was lowering; the trees quivered
gently, shaking the rain from the boughs.
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