"Come, major! Those fellows are making a fuss, and well they may."

The Comte de Vandieres flung off his ragged blankets, and stood before
them in his general's uniform.

"Let us save the Count," said Philip.

Stephanie grasped his hand tightly in hers, flung her arms about, and
clasped him close in an agonized embrace.

"Farewell!" she said.

Then each knew the other's thoughts. The Comte de Vandieres recovered
his energies and presence of mind sufficiently to jump on to the raft,
whither Stephanie followed him after one last look at Philip.

"Major, won't you take my place? I do not care a straw for life; I
have neither a wife, nor child, nor mother belonging to me--"

"I give them into your charge," cried the major, indicating the Count
and his wife.

"Be easy; I will take as much care of them as of the apple of my eye."

Philip stood stock-still on the bank. The raft sped so violently
towards the opposite shore that it ran aground with a violent shock to
all on board. The Count, standing on the very edge, was shaken into
the stream; and as he fell, a mass of ice swept by and struck off his
head, and sent it flying like a ball.