At that awful sound Muriel drew back, chill and cold to the marrow.

How inconceivable was the state of mind of these terrible people! They were really sorry for her; they kissed her hand with fervor; and yet they deliberately and solemnly proposed to eat her! Toward evening the young girls at last retired, in regular order, to the clapping of hands, and Felix was left alone with Muriel and the Shadows.
Already he had explained to Muriel what he intended to do; and Muriel, half dazed with terror and paralyzed by these awful preparations, consented passively.

"But how if you never come back, Felix ?" she cried at last, clinging to him passionately.
Felix looked at her with a fixed look.

"I have thought of that," he said.
"M.

Peyron, to whom I sent a message by flashes, has helped me in my difficulty.