She persisted. He leaned over, pleading with her, promising to come back,
telling her that he was going for the rescue of all of us. But, with a wild
air, she shook her head, repeating "I am going with you! I am going with
you!"

He had to take the children. Then he helped her up. We could follow them
along the crest of the house. They walked slowly. She had taken the children
again, and at every step he turned and supported her.

"Get her to a safe place, and return!" I shouted.

I saw him wave his hand, but the roaring of the water prevented my hearing
his answer. Soon we could not see them. They had descended to the roof of
the next house. At the end of five minutes they appeared upon the third roof,
which must have been very steep, for they went on hands and knees along the
summit. A sudden terror seized me. I put my hands to my mouth and shouted:

"Come back! Come back!"

Then all of us shouted together. Our voices stopped them for a moment, but
they continued on their way. They reached the angle formed by the street upon
which faced the Raimbeau house, a high structure, with a roof at least ten
feet above those of the neighboring houses. For a moment they hesitated. Then
Cyprien climbed up a chimney pipe, with the agility of a cat. Aimee, who must
have consented to wait for him, stood on the tiles. We saw her plainly, black
and enlarged against the pale sky, straining her children to her bosom. And
it was then that the horrifying trouble began.

The Raimbeau house, originally intended for a factory, was very flimsily
built. Besides, the facade was exposed to the current in the street. I thought