ach other's
play with mutual suspicions. The General himself began to be troubled
with ugly presentiments. The strange visit weighed upon his mind already
like a nightmare; but he had passed his word, there was no help for
it now, and he led the way along the passages and stairways till they
reached a large room on the second floor immediately above the salon.
This was an empty room where linen was dried in the winter. It had
but the one door, and for all decoration boasted one solitary shabby
looking-glass above the chimney-piece, left by the previous owner, and a
great pier glass, placed provisionally opposite the fireplace until
such time as a use should be found for it in the rooms below. The four
yellowish walls were bare. The floor had never been swept. The huge
attic was icy-cold, and the furniture consisted of a couple of rickety
straw-bottomed chairs, or rather frames of chairs. The General set the
lantern down upon the chimney-piece. Then he spoke:

"It is necessary for your own safety to hide you in this comfortless
attic. And, as you have my promise to keep your secret, you will permit
me to lock you in."

The other bent his head in acquiescence.

"I asked for nothing but a hiding-place, secrecy, and water," returned
he.

"I will bring you some directly," said the Marquis, shutting the door
cautiously. He groped his way down into the salon for a lamp before
going to the kitchen to look for a carafe.

"Well, what is it?" the Marquise asked quickly.

"Nothing, dear," he returned coolly.

"But we listened, and we certainly heard you go upstairs with somebody."

"Helene," said the General, and he looked at his daughter, who raised
her face, "bear in mind that your father's honor depends upon your
discretion. You must have heard nothing."

The girl bent her head in answer. The Marquise was confused and smarting
inwardly at the way in which her husband had thought fit to silence her.

Meanwhile the General went for the bottle and a tumbler, and returned to
the room above. His prisoner was leaning against the chimney-piece,
his head was bare, he had flung down his hat on one of the two chairs.
Evidently he had not expected to have so bright a light turned upon him,
and he frowned and looked anxious as he met the General's keen eyes;
but his face softened and wore a gracious expression as he thanked
his protector. When the latter placed the bottle and glass on the
mantel-shelf, the stranger's eyes flashe