Chapter 10

           Hehadonlyreceivedthechemist’sletterthirty-sixhoursaftertheevent;and,fromconsiderationforhisfeelings,Homaishadsowordeditthatitwasimpossibletomakeoutwhatitwasallabout.

           First,theoldfellowhadfallenasifstruckbyapoplexy.Next,heunderstoodthatshewasnotdead,butshemightbe.Atlast,hehadputonhisblouse,takenhishat,fastenedhisspurstohisboots,andsetoutatfullspeed;andthewholeofthewayoldRouault,panting,wastornbyanguish.Onceevenhewasobligedtodismount.Hewasdizzy;heheardvoicesroundabouthim;hefelthimselfgoingmad.

           Daybroke.Hesawthreeblackhensasleepinatree.Heshuddered,horrifiedatthisomen.ThenhepromisedtheHolyVirginthreechasublesforthechurch,andthathewouldgobarefootedfromthecemeteryatBertauxtothechapelofVassonville.

           HeenteredMarommeshoutingforthepeopleoftheinn,burstopenthedoorwithathrustofhisshoulder,madeforasackofoats,emptiedabottleofsweetciderintothemanger,andagainmountedhisnag,whosefeetstruckfireasitdashedalong.

           Hesaidtohimselfthatnodoubttheywouldsaveher;thedoctorswoulddiscoversomeremedysurely.Herememberedallthemiraculouscureshehadbeentoldabout.Thensheappearedtohimdead.Shewasthere;beforehiseyes,lyingonherbackinthemiddleoftheroad.Hereinedup,andthehallucinationdisappeared.

           AtQuincampoix,togivehimselfheart,hedrankthreecupsofcoffeeoneaftertheother.Hefanciedtheyhadmadeamistakeinthenameinwriting.