He bent his back and passed so rapidly that they were unable to distinguish his features, but they noticed that he was carrying a carefully made parcel.

And immediately afterwards he slipped a key into the lock of the room adjoining M.de Guersaint's, and opening the door disappeared noiselessly, like a shadow.
M.de Guersaint had glanced round: "Ah! my neighbour," said he; "he has been to market and has brought back some delicacies, no doubt!" Pierre pretended not to hear, for his companion was so light-minded that he did not care to trust him with a secret which was not his own.
Besides, a feeling of uneasiness was returning to him, a kind of chaste terror at the thought that the world and the flesh were there taking their revenge, amidst all the mystical enthusiasm which he could feel around him.
They reached the hospital just as the patients were being brought out to be carried to the Grotto; and they found that Marie had slept well and was very gay.

She kissed her father and scolded him when she learnt that he had not yet decided on his trip to Gavarnie.

She should really be displeased with him, she said, if he did not go.

Still with the same restful, smiling expression, she added that she did not expect to be cured that day; and then, assuming an air of mystery, she begged Pierre to obtain permission for her to spend the following night before the Grotto.