His recent illness
was still too fresh a memory for the mere sight of his present
suffering and insensibility to have any of the terrors of
novelty, after the first shock was over, and all her former
experiences went to prove that his first words on recovering
consciousness would be to ask for her. Her one idea was that
she must go at once and nurse him; she had not heeded, nor,
perhaps, even heard Graham's last words, and she was about to
follow the men into the bedroom, when Madame Lavaux interposed
to prevent her.
"Run upstairs to my room, _petite_," she said; "you will be out
of the way there, and I will come to you presently."
"No," said Madelon, refusing point-blank, "I am going with
papa."
"But it is not possible, my child; you will only be in the
way. You heard what M. le Docteur said?"
"I _will_ go to papa!" cries Madelon, trembling with agitation
and excitement; "he will want me, I know he will, I am never
in his way! You have no right to prevent my going to him,
Madame! Let me pass, I say," for Madame Lavaux was standing
between her and the door of the room into which M.
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