The marchioness turned toward Saint Rémy, and answered, with sadness, "She has no longer a mother, my lord."
"I only learned last night, on my return, the address of Madame de Fermont, and her alarming situation. At one o'clock in the morning I was with her, accompanied by my physician. Oh! sir, what a picture! poverty in all its horrors--and no hope of saving the expiring mother!"
"Oh! how frightful must have been her agony, if the thought of her daughter was present!"
"What a death! she, the tender mother, so devoted. It is terrible!"
Here one of the sisters entered, interrupting the conversation, and said to the lady: "The young lady is very feeble--she scarcely has any consciousness; in a short time she may revive. If you do not fear to remain here, madame, and wait until she comes to herself, I will offer you my chair."
"Give it to me," said Clémence, taking a seat along-side of the bed. "I will not take my eyes from her; I wish that she should, at least, see a friendly face when she recovers; then I will take her with me, since the doctor decides that she can be removed without danger."
"Oh! madame, may God bless you for what you do," said Saint Rémy; "but pardon me for not having told you my name--so much sorrow! so much emotion!--I am the Count de Saint Rémy; the husband of Madame de Fermont was my most intimate friend. I live at Angers. I left that city because I was uneasy at not having received any news from these two noble and worthy women. I have since heard that they have been completely ruined."
"Oh! sir, you do not know all. Madame Fermont has been most cruelly despoiled!"
"By her notary, perhaps? For a moment I had such a suspicion."
"The man was a monster, sir! Alas! this cruel crime is not his only one. But, happily," said Clémence, thinking of Rudolph, "he has been compelled to make restitution; and while closing the eyes of Madame de Fermont, I have been able to assure her that her daughter is provided for. Her death thus had fewer pangs."
"I comprehend; knowing that her daughter was under your protection, madame, my poor friend died more tranquilly."
"Not only is my protection forever secured to Miss de Fermont, but her fortune will also be restored."