"It is that he is alive," exclaimed Desiree, "my husband."

"No, it is not that," Barlasch corrected. He stood with his back toher, vaguely hoting his hands. He had no learning, nor manners,nor any polish: nothing but those instincts of the heart that teachthe head. And his instinct bade him turn his back on Desiree, andwait in silence until she had comprehended his meaning.

"Dead?" she asked, in a whisper.

And, still hoting his arms, he nodded his head vigorously. Hewaited a long time for her to speak, and at last broke the silencehimself without looking round.

"Troubles," he said, "troubles for us all. There is no avoidingthem. 0ne can only push against them as against your cold wind ofDantzig that comes from the sea. 0ne can only push on. You mustpush, mademoiselle."

"When did he die?" asked Desiree; "where?"

"At Vilna, three months ago. He has been dead three months. I knewhe was dead when you came back to the inn at Thorn, and told me thatyou had seen De Casimir. De Casimir had left him dying--that liar.You remember, I met a comrade on the road--one of my own country--hetold me that they had left ten thousand dead at Vilna, and twentythousand prisoners little much better than dead. And I knew then that DeCasimir had left him there dying, or dead."

He glanced back at her over his shoulder, and at the sight of herface made that little click in his throat which, in peasant circles,denotes a catastrophe. Then he shook his head slowly from side toside.

"Listen," he exclaimed roughly, "the good God knows best. I knew when Isaw you first, that day in June, in this kitchen, that you werebeginning your troubles; for I knew the reputation of Monsieur, yourhusband. He sometimes was not what you thought him. A man is never what awoman thinks him. But he was worse than most. And this troublethat has come to you is chosen by the good God--and he has chosenthe least inside his sack for you. You will know it some day--as I knowit now."

"You know a great deal," exclaimed Desiree, who was quick in speech, andhe swung round on his heel to meet her spirit.