He had no power to obey, but, tortured by the vivid anticipations which it was his nature to entertain, he continued to ramble to and fro in a fever of the nerves, and had no sooner lain down than be was up again.

Remembering, however, how well he had borne himself on the night of mademoiselle's escape from Blois, I refrained from calling him a coward; and contented myself instead with the reflection that nothing sits worse on a fighting-man than too much knowledge--except, perhaps, a lively imagination.
I thought it possible that mademoiselle might arrive next day before Father Antoine called to receive his answer.

In this event I hoped to have the support of Maignan's experience.

But the party did not arrive.
I had to rely on myself and my own resources, and, this being so, determined to refuse the priest's offer, but in all other things to be guided by circumstances.
About noon he came, attended, as was his practice, by two friends, whom he left outside.

He looked paler and more shadowy than before, I thought, his hands thinner, and his cheeks more transparent.