It may be that she is the real doctor."
A telegram from Madame Styvens announced that she would arrive next
day with the doctor who had attended Albert from childhood, and a
friend. She asked that rooms be reserved at the hotel at Palais. But
Francois would reserve only the "Five Divisions of the World" for the
three travellers. They prepared one of the rooms as a dressing-room
for the Countess, and Maurice and Jean went to lodge at the farmer's.
It was with infinite discretion that Esperance broke the news of his
mother's coming to Albert.
"Poor mother," he said, "she must be living through hours of anguish
in her anxiety. But the doctor said that I am out of danger."
"What! you were not asleep!"
He smiled with the almost childish smile of the very ill returning to
life.
"Then I shall be on my guard, henceforth," she threatened him gently
with a slender finger.
He stretched his hand out towards her. She pressed it tenderly.
"Be careful, Albert, don't move too much."
They had completely dropped the "Monsieur" and "Mademoiselle," and
this intimacy filled the young man's heart with joy.
CHAPTER XX
Francois had made a special arrangement with the captain of the
_Soulacroup_, so that the charming Countess need not risk
travelling with geese and pigs. At Quiberon he had reserved a special
room that she might have at least an hour of rest. She went pale as
death when she saw the philosopher and his wife waiting for her at the
train, although they had sent her reassuring telegrams every few
hours.
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