When Silvere had no more cartridges left in his pocket, he ceased firing, and gazed at the carbine with an air of stupor.

It was then that a shadow passed over his face, as though the flapping wings of some colossal bird had brushed against his forehead.

And raising his eyes he saw the banner fall from Miette's grasp.

The child, her hands clasped to her breast, her head thrown back with an expression of excruciating suffering, was staggering to the ground.

She did not utter a single cry, but sank at last upon the red banner.
"Get up; come quickly," Silvere said, in despair, as he held out his hand to her.
But she lay upon the ground without uttering a word, her eyes wide open.
Then he understood, and fell on his knees beside her.
"You are wounded, eh?
tell me?
Where are you wounded ?" She still spoke no word; she was stifling, and gazing at him out of her large eyes, while short quivers shook her frame.