He was attacked on the doorstep, and was surrounded, and well-nigh spent, when I saw him.

I tried to reach him through the crowd but, before I could do so, he fell.
"Then, seeing that it would be but throwing away my life, and destroying all chance of saving yours, I hurried away to carry out the plan I had before formed of making my way along the roofs, and so entering your house.
"Monsieur de Pascal fell, mademoiselle, as a brave soldier, fighting against a host of foes, and in defence of yourself and your father.

It was an unfortunate, though noble impulse, that led him there; for I had rubbed out the mark upon your door that served as a guide for the soldiers, and you and the count might have escaped over the roof, before any attack was made, had not his presence aroused their suspicions." Claire had hidden her face in her hands, as he began to speak; and he had kept on talking, in order to give her time to collect her feelings; but as she was now crying unrestrainedly, he went quietly out of the hut and left her to herself; glad that tears had come to her relief, for the first time.
An hour later the door opened behind him, and Claire called him in.
"I am better now," she said, "I have been able to cry.

It seemed that my heart was frozen, and I was like one in a terrible nightmare.

Now I know that it is all true, and that my dear father is dead.
"As for Monsieur de Pascal, I am sorry that a brave soldier has been killed; but that is all.