Page 102 (1/1)

Javette nodded Her tale told, she seemed to be unable to add a word

Mademoiselle, who knew her for a craven, wondered that she had found

courage either to note what she had or to bring the news But as

Providence had been so good to them as to put it into this woman's head

to act as she had, it behoved them to use the opportunity--the last, the

very last opportunity they o!" she cried feverishly "Go, I beg!

Go now, Monsieur! The greatest kindness you can do me is to place

yourself as quickly as possible beyond his reach" A faint colour, the

flush of hope, had returned to her cheeks Her eyes glittered

"Right, Madeo! And do you be

of good courage"

He held her hand: an instant, then,to the door, he opened it and

listened They all pressed behind him to hear A murmur of voices, low

and distant, irl's tale; apart

frononville cast a last look at

Madelided a-tiptoe to the

stairs and began to descend, his face hidden in his cowl They watched

hile of the staircase, they watched hi at one another when a board creaked or

the voices beloere hushed for a moment