His eyes, however, were full of tears, for he adored his wife, and had left his business in order to take her to Lourdes, placing his last hope in this appeal to the mercy of Heaven.
Ever since the morning, Pierre had beheld many frightful sufferings in that woeful white train.

But none had so distressed his soul as did that wretched female skeleton, slowly liquefying in the midst of its lace and its millions.

"The unhappy woman!" he murmured with a shudder.
The Abbe Judaine, however, made a gesture of serene hope.

"The Blessed Virgin will cure her," said he; "I have prayed to her so much." Just then a bell again pealed, and this time it was really the signal for starting.

Only two minutes remained.