Page:The Mystery of Madeline Le Blanc (1900).djvu/93

Rh dead; he wished to remember his child only as she had been in life. And then he thought himself foolish for the ray of hope he was beginning to entertain that she might still be among the living; for had not he seen her laid away in the tomb! and with these thoughts he fell asleep.

At ten o'clock the next day Monsieur Le Blanc sat again in his garden; Madame was about her work as usual; and Irène was busying herself in Madeline's old room in the manner that one does who is expecting a guest. She had succeeded in having Joseph sent for; she had repeated her story; and now all were awaiting the return of the latter and the old sexton, who had gone to exhume the remains. When Monsieur and Joseph had protested, she said, "Then I'll go myself and dig." There was nothing to do but obey. It was to be done without attracting any attention; and now at ten o'clock, Joseph's return was awaited.

At half-past ten, the father, going into the house, was met at the door by Madame, who said, "It is time Joseph had come back."