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A lively-looking woman with quick restless black eyes stepped forward
"I a curtsey, "that we are very sorry if we have unintentionally wronged s, must know that many reports are circulated about monsieur that make one to shudder; that iven to all, what one would say, the horrors; and monsieur must consider that poor servants of virtuous reputation--"
"So, Jeanne Claudet!" interrupted Heliobas, in a thrilling low tone "And what of the child--the little waxen-faced helpless babe left to die on the banks of the Loire? But it did not die, Jeanne--it was rescued; and it shall yet live to loathe its mother!"
The woman uttered a shriek, and fainted
In the feminine confusion and fuss that ensued, Heliobas, acco Leo, left the hall and entered his own private room, where for some time I left him undisturbed
In the early part of the afternoon a note was brought tome to come as soon as possible to his wife, as very ill
"Since she heard of the death of that beautiful young lady, a death so fearfully sudden and unexpected," wrote the Colonel, "she has been quite unlike herself--nervous, hysterical, and thoroughly unstrung It will be a real kindness to her if you will co desire for your company"
I showed this note at once to Heliobas He read it, and said: "Of course you o Wait till our simple funeral ceremony is over, and then--we part Not for ever; I shall see you often again For now I have lost Zara, you are ht of you You will correspond with ratefully," I replied
"You shall not lose by it I can initiate you into many secrets that will be useful to you in your career As for your friend Mrs Everard, you will find that your presence will cure her You have progressed greatly in electric force: the mere touch of your hand will soothe her, as you will find But never be tempted to try any of the fluids of which you have the recipes on her, or on anybody but yourself, unless you write to me first about it, as Cellini did when he tried an experiment on you As for your own bodily and spiritual health, you know thoroughly what to do--KEEP THE SECRET; and make a step in advance every day By-and-by you will have double work"