Now you know that when the trouble began I felt it quite out of the question for me to run away, and leave you all here in Paris unprotected.

Such a thing would have been preposterous." "You think so, Harry, because you have a good heart; but most people would have thought of themselves, and would not have run all sorts of risks for the sake of three girls with no claim upon them." "Well, Marie, you allow then that a person with a good heart would naturally do as I did." "Well, supposing I do, Harry, what then ?" "You must still further allow that a person with a good heart, and upon whom you had a great claim, would all the more have remained to protect you." "What are you driving at, Harry, with your supposition ?" she said, her cheek growing a little paler as a suspicion of the truth flashed upon her.
"Well, Marie, you mustn't be agitated, and I hope you will not be angry; but I ask you how, as he has a good heart, and you have claims upon him, could you expect Victor de Gisons to run away like a coward and leave you here ?" Marie had risen to her feet and gazed at him with frightened eyes.
"What, is it about him that you deceived me! Is it true that he did not go away?
Has anything happened to him?
Oh, Harry, do not say he is dead!" "He is not dead, Marie, but he has been very, very ill.

He was with me at La Force on that terrible night, and saw his father brought out to be murdered.

The shock nearly killed him.

He has had brain fever, and has been at death's door.