Page:The Mystery of Madeline Le Blanc (1900).djvu/44

44 she might walk more rapidly, so anxious was she to bring aid. By the time they came in sight of the house, it had grown almost dark as night, and began to rain.

"At last," exclaimed the father to the doctor, as they enteredthe house. "We had given you up. She is no better."

Satiani was taciturn, avoided the father, and walked directly to the couch. At length, after some examination, he turned to Monsieur Le Blanc, the few neighbors who were there, and Madeline's father confessor, and said, "I must be alone with her."

"What did you say?" asked the father. He had not understood, for the clatter of the falling rain and the rolling thunder were deafening.

"I must be alone with her," he repeated. "When I call, I will tell you what can be done."

One after another they left the room.

"Oh! make Madeline well," pleaded Irène, taking hold of the doctor's arm.

"It is with you, my friend Satiani," said Monsieur Le Blanc.

The good father confessor, who was