Life and salvation one
through the other, or disaster for both, such was the law. And doubtless
Valentine became clearly conscious of her peril, for she hastened to take
up the child and cover her with caresses, as if to make of her a
protecting rampart against the supreme madness to which she had felt
prompted. And great was the distress that came over her. Her other
children were there, looking and listening, and Mathieu also was still
waiting. When she perceived him her tears gushed forth again, and she
strove to explain things, and even attempted to defend her husband.
"Excuse him, there are moments when he quite loses his head. _Mon Dieu_!
What will become of me with this child? Yet I can't nurse her now, it is
too late. It is frightful to be in such a position without knowing what
to do. Ah! what will become of me, good Lord?"
Santerre again attempted to console her, but she no longer listened to
him, and he was about to defer all further efforts till another time when
unexpected intervention helped on his designs.
Celeste, who had entered noiselessly, stood there waiting for her
mistress to allow her to speak. "It is my friend who has come to see me,
madame," said she; "you know, the person from my village, Sophie Couteau,
and as she happens to have a nurse with her--"
"There is a nurse here?"
"Oh! yes, madame, a very fine one, an excellent one.
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