"She is now in the safe custody of Madame de Landres." The count tore open the letter, and he had read but a few lines when he uttered an exclamation of surprise and, turning towards Philip, who had moved a few paces away, ran to him and threw his arms round his neck.
"It is you who have, with God's blessing, rescued my daughter from death," he exclaimed.

"She is my only child.

Oh, monsieur, what joy have you brought to me, what thankfulness do I feel, how deeply am I indebted to you! I had thought that there remained to me but to do my duty to God, and His cause; and then, if I lived to see the end of the war, to live out my days a childless old man.

Now I seem to live again.

Claire is alive; I have still something to love and care for.
"I will first run through the rest of the letter; and then you shall tell me, in full, all the story.