"And I, monsieur, tell you that it is not as you believe. Last night, I slept a horrible sleep, and with my eyes closed, I saw, at the very place where you are now, coming from that corner where there is a door that gives onto Mme. de Villefaramir's medicine cabinet, I saw a white form, and, as if Érou feared that I might reject the witness of only one sense, I heard my glass move on my table. It was the soul of my husband, come to call me; now, if he can call me, why cannot my soul return to defend my daughter?"
"Oh, madame," said Villefaramir, moved despite himself to the depth of his entrails, "do not entertain such lugubrious ideas, you will live long and happily with us, loved, honoured..."
"Never!" cried Mme. d'Imrahil. "Où chébin estel anim! Let us make haste! Let Arafrantz and a notary come at once!"
"Oh, my mother!" cried Valartine, kissing the forehead of Mme. d'Imrahil. "You have the fever, it is not a notary we should call, but a physician!"
