“Praised be Heaven!” said Clémence, clasping her hands with fervour; “I can now tell him that his protégée still lives! What joy for him who, in his last letter, spoke to me of this poor child with such bitter regrets! Excuse me, sir, but you know not how happy your intelligence renders me, and will make a person who, more than myself, has loved and protected Fleur-de-Marie. But, for mercy’s sake, tell me, where is she at this moment?”
“Near Asnières, in the house of one of the surgeons of this hospital, Doctor Griffon; she was taken there, and has had every attention.”
“And is she out of danger?”
“Yes, madame, but only during the last two or three days, and to-day she will be permitted to write to her protector.”
“Oh, I will undertake to do that, sir; or, rather, I shall have the plea
