I am not quite clear what happened. I have only a vague remembrance of the crowd making way for us, with murmurs of surprise, and some hostile cries of women. I remember helping Brand to carry the girl--enormously heavy she seemed with her dead weight--but how we managed to get her into Dr. Small’s car is to this day a blank in my mind. We must have seen and hailed him at the Corner of the Grande Place as he was going back to his billet. I have a distinct recollection of taking off my Burberry and laying it over the girl, who was huddled in the back of the car, and of Brand saying, “Where can we take her?” I also remember trying to light a cigarette and using many matches which went out in the wind. It was Brand’s idea that we should go to Madame Chéri’s house for sanctuary, and by the time we had driven to that place we had left the crowd behind and were not followed.
“You go in and explain things,” said Brand. “Ask Madame to give the girl a refuge.”
I think Madame Chéri was startled by the sight of the car, and perhaps by some queer look I had. I told her what had happened. This girl was the sister of Pierre Nesle, whom Madame Chéri had met. The crowd, for some reason, had cut off her hair. Would Madame save the poor child, who was unconscious?
I shall never forget the face or speech of that lady, whom I had found so kind. She drew herself up very stiffly and a relentless expression hardened her face.
“If you were not English I should say you desired to insult me, sir. The people have cut off the creature’s hair. ‘For some reason’ you say. There is only one reason. Because she was faithless to her country and to her sex, and was familiar with men who were the enemies of France, the murderers of our men, robbers and assassins. She has been well punished. I would rather burn down my house than give her shelter. If they gave her to the dogs to tear in pieces I would not lift my little finger to save her.”
Hélène came in, and was surprised at the emotion of her mother’s voice.
Madame Chéri, regained control of herself, which for a moment she had lost in a passion that shook her.
“It is a little matter. This officer and I have been talking about vile people who sold themselves to our enemy. He understands perfectly.”