The old man nodded. "He brought me here," he said gently. Then he got to
his feet. "You must sleep now," he added, and he gave her a cordial. "I
must go forth and save the sick."

"Is it a plague?" she asked.

He nodded. "They said you would not come to save them," she continued
reproachfully. "You came to me because I was your Carille, only for
that?"

"No, no," he answered; "I knew not who you were. I came to save a mother
to her child."

"Thank God!" she said.

With a happy smile she hid her face in the pillow. At last, leaving her
and the child asleep, old Felion went forth into the little city, and the
people flocked to him, and for many days he came and went ceaselessly.

And once more he saved the city, and the people blessed him: and the
years go on.




THE FORGE IN THE VALLEY

He lay where he could see her working at the forge. As she worked she
sang: