"Stephanie. Ah, dead and living, living and mad! I fancied I was
dying."

The prudent marquis, appreciating the gravity of the crisis through
which his friend was passing, was careful not to question or excite
him; he was only anxious to reach the chateau, for the change which
had taken place in the colonel's features, in fact in his whole
person, made him fear for his friend's reason. As soon, therefore, as
the carriage had reached the main street of Ile-Adam, he dispatched
the footman to the village doctor, so that the colonel was no sooner
fairly in his bed at the chateau than the physician was beside him.

"If monsieur had not been many hours without food the shock would have
killed him," said the doctor.

After naming the first precautions, the doctor left the room, to
prepare, himself, a calming potion. The next day, Monsieur de Sucy was
better, but the doctor still watched him carefully.

"I will admit to you, monsieur le marquis," he said, "that I have
feared some affection of the brain. Monsieur de Sucy has received a
violent shock; his passions are strong; but, in him, the first blow
decides all. To-morrow he may be entirely out of danger."

The doctor was not mistaken; and the following day he allowed the
marquis to see his friend.

"My dear d'Albon," said Philippe, pressing his hand, "I am going to
ask a kindness of you. Go to the Bons-Hommes, and find out all you can
of the lady we saw there; and return to me as quickly as you can; I