"But as he spoke, his unwounded hand sought mine, as if the brave fellow were asking for pardon for the momentary impulse of jealousy to which he had given way.
"'Ah,' said I, as we all made our way towards the lower ledge, 'your safety is indeed, a source of joy to me; but I should be happier still if it were not for one thing—I have a revenge to take, and I do not see my way to it.'
"'You have plenty of time before you,' replied Périères; 'our _rôle_ will, perhaps, speedily be reversed, and you will be the foremost.'
"'De Morin,' said Delange, suddenly, 'suppose we have our little game?'
"'Surely, Doctor, you are not serious?' said I.
"'And a good thing, too,' I replied; 'for if you had been in earnest I would have throttled you, and so have got rid, once and for all, of you and your cards. I have no right to break my word, or to fail to carry out my engagement, but nothing prevents my putting an end to you.'
"'Nothing, I admit. Only, you would not be placed in such an extremity. You lost yesterday, and it is I who have to meet your wishes.'
"'True, I forgot it. Then I substitute a bet for the cards.'
"'That I will reach the rock near which I see Madame de Guéran before you do.'
"'Done,' said Delange, 'it will warm me.'
"He started off in the required direction in such earnest as to convince me that, however seriously his hands and face were damaged, his legs were intact. I left off running, for I did not want to come upon Madame de Guéran like an avalanche, though I was very anxious that she should see, as quickly as possible, that I was safe and sound. Delange thus became my unconscious messenger, and his run cost me a thousand francs.
"When I reached Madame de Guéran, in due course, I held out my hands, which she grasped warmly, and as I looked at her I saw that she was pale and agitated.
"'We escaped rather well!' said she, smiling.
"'I thought you were dead,' was my reply.
"'And what would you have done?' said she, turning towards me with that frank look which you one evening noticed.
"'Truly?' she asked, still looking at me.
"'I believe you,' she said, and she once more held out her hand, which, carried away by an irresistible impulse, I raised to my lips.
"Périères came up at this moment, and then I remembered Miss Poles, who might be hurt at my not having enquired after her. I went to her, and found her sitting, leaning against a rock, with Delange on his knees before her, binding up her foot.