A brain-fever set in, combined with a dangerous inflammation resulting from her escapade to Vatan.

If she had had her usual health, she might have fled the house where, in the room above her, Max's room, and in Max's bed, lay and suffered Max's murderer.

She hovered between life and death for three months, attended by Monsieur Goddet, who was also attending Philippe.
As soon as Philippe was able to hold a pen, he wrote the following letters:-- To Monsieur Desroches: I have already killed the most venomous of the two reptiles; not however without getting my own head split open by a sabre; but the rascal struck with a dying hand.

The other viper is here, and I must come to an understanding with her, for my uncle clings to her like the apple of his eye.

I have been half afraid the girl, who is devilishly handsome, might run away, and then my uncle would have followed her; but an illness which seized her suddenly has kept her in bed.