He passed her with an abject bow, and crossed the little sitting-room with the air of a man who perfectly understands his way.

He did not knock at the door of the bedroom, but went straight in; there a singular spectacle at once arrested his attention.

Paul, with a very pale face, was seated on the bed, while Hortebise was attentively examining his bare shoulder.

The whole of Paul's right arm and shoulder was a large open wound, which seemed to have been caused by a burn or scald, and must have been extremely painful.

The doctor was bending over him, applying a cooling lotion to the injured place with a small piece of sponge.