Before we slept, my few serviceables were put in position for instant departure.
•••••••
When I arose in the morning Jerome had already left his bed. I supposed it was out of consideration for what he was still pleased to consider my weak condition that he refrained from waking me. Claude came tripping in later with the message that M. de Greville had gone to make some last arrangements for our journey. I slept so restfully through the night my fatigue and all unpleasant reminders of the episode at Bertrand's had quite worn away, and I felt refreshed and strong again. When Florine came to inquire for my health she found me busied about the packing. I greeted her kindly, for in truth my gratitude was deep and sincere.
"Monsieur is preparing to leave?" she asked as if more than afraid of a reply. I could see she had some purpose in the question.
"Yes, I leave Paris to-day."
"To-day?" she echoed.
"Yes, but I would return and find you again; I could not depart from France without finding and thanking you for all your kindness. In truth I am glad you came, for." I tried to say more, but the words left my lips sounding so cold and meaningless the sentence died away incomplete.
Florine stood there, vaguely watching me as though she did not understand.
"Leave France?" she repeated, her tone expressing the hope she had not heard aright.
