Why had the marquis given this man a
thousand livres? What evil purpose lay behind it? The marquis gave to
the Church? He was surprised to find himself struggling against a wild
desire to laugh. Sometimes the voice sounded like thunder in his ears;
anon, it was so far away that he could hear only the echo of it.
Presently the mass came to an end. The worshipers rose by twos and
threes. But the Chevalier remained kneeling. The next roll of the
ship toppled him forward upon his face, where he lay motionless.
Several sprang to his aid, the vicomte and Victor being first.
Together they lifted the Chevalier to his feet, but his knees doubled
up. He was unconscious.
"Paul?" cried Victor in alarm. "He is seasick?" turning anxiously
toward the vicomte.
"This is not seasickness; more likely a reaction. Here comes
Lieutenant Nicot, who has some fame as a leech. He will tell us what
the trouble is."
A hasty examination disclosed that the Chevalier was in the first
stages of brain fever, and he was at once conveyed to his berthroom.
Victor was inconsolable; the vicomte, thoughtful; and even the Comte
d'Herouville showed some interest.
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