Stepping forward a little, he said: "I am here, Elise.

Come." She trembled as she came.

"Oh, monsieur--your Excellency!" she whispered; "oh, you cannot go down, for my mother sits ill by the fire.
You cannot go out that way." He took both her hands.

"No matter.

Poor child, you are trembling! Come." He drew her towards the couch.