ointed to the bear, "than be with you one minute--you
murderer!" she said, with choking anger.

He started towards her, saying:

"By the blood of Joseph! but you'll stay just the same; and--"

He got no further, for she threw the pistol in his face with all her
might. It struck between his eyes with a thud, and he staggered back,
blind, bleeding and faint, as she threw open the door and sped away in
the darkness.

Reaching the Manor safely, she ran up to her room, arranged her hair,
washed her hands, and came again to Ferrol's bedroom. Knocking softly
she was admitted by Nic. There was an unnatural brightness in her eyes.
"Where've you been?" he asked, for he noticed this. "What've you been
doing?"

"I've killed the bear that tried to kill him," she answered.

She spoke louder than she meant. Her voice awakened Ferrol.

"Eh, what?" he said, "killed the bear, mademoiselle,--my dear friend,"
he added, "killed the bear!" He coughed a little, and a twinge of pain
crossed over his face.

She nodded, and her face was alight with pleasure. She lifted up his
head and gave him a little drink of brandy. His fingers closed on hers
that held the glass. His touch thrilled her.

"That's good, that's easier," he remarked.

"We're going to bathe you in brandy and hot water, now--Nic and I," she
said.

"Bathe me! Bathe me!" he said, in amused consternation.

"Hands and feet," Nic explained.

A few minutes later as she lifted up his head, her face was very near
him; her breath was in his face. Her eyes half closed, her fingers
trembled. He suddenly drew her to him and kissed her. She looked round
swiftly, but her brother had not noticed.

CHAPTER X

Ferrols's recovery from his injuries was swifter than might have
been expected. As soon as he was able to move about Christine was his
constant attendant. She had made herself his nurse, and no one had
seriously interfered, though the Cure had not at all vaguely offered a
protest to Madame Lavilette. But Madame Lavilette was now in the humour
to defy or evade the Cure, whichever seemed the more convenient or more
necessary. To be linked by marriage with the nobility would indeed be
the justification of all her long-baffled hopes. Meanwhile, the
parish gossiped, though little of that gossip was heard at the Manor
Casimbault. By and by the Cure ceased to visit the Manor, but the
Regimental Surgeon came often, and sometimes stayed late. He, perhaps,
could have given Mad