I would have died
a hundred times but for my promise to her. Yes, I am coming, love; I am
coming."
He fell on his knees and smiled, and whispered, "I am coming, Josephine,
I am coming."
A sob and a moan as of a creature dying in anguish answered him.
Rose screamed with terror when she heard it.
Camille rose to his feet, awestruck. "That was her voice, behind this
tree," he whispered.
"No, no," cried Rose; "it was me."
But at that moment a rustle and a rush was heard of some one darting out
of the tree.
Camille darted furiously round it in the same direction. Rose tried to
stop him, but was too late. The next moment Raynal's wife was in his
arms.
CHAPTER X.
Josephine wrestled long and terribly with nature in that old oak-tree.
But who can so struggle forever? Anguish, remorse, horror, despair, and
love wrenched her to and fro; and O mysterious human heart! gleams of
a mad fitful joy shot through her, coming quick as lightning, going as
quickly, and leaving the despair darker. And then the fierce struggle of
the soul to make itself heard! More than once she had to close her mouth
with her hand: more than once she seized her throat not to cry out.
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