From the depths where Elise was cast, it was not for her to see that her disaster had brought light to others; that out of the pitiful confusion of her life had come order and joy.

A half-mad woman, without memory, knew again whence she came and whither she was going; and bewildered and happy, with a hungering tenderness, moved her hand over the head of her poor dwarf, as though she would know if he were truly her own son.

A new spirit also had come into Parpon's eyes, gentler, less weird, less distant.

With the advent of their joy a great yearning came to save Elise.

They hung watchful, solicitous, over her bed.
It must go hard with her, and twenty-four hours would see the end or a fresh beginning.