Paris. They indulged in the flattering
hope of producing a sensation here as well as at Poitiers, and even
dared to dream of being commanded to appear before the court, and of
being rewarded royally for their exertions to please. Only de Sigognac
was silent and preoccupied, and Isabelle, whose thoughts were all of
him, cast anxious glances at him, and wished that she could charm away
his melancholy. He was seated at the other end of the table, and still
puzzling over the face that he had seen in the kitchen, but he soon
looked towards her, and caught her lovely eyes fixed upon him, with such
an adorable expression of chaste love and angelic tenderness in their
shadowy depths, that all thoughts save of her were at once banished from
his mind. The warmth of the room had flushed her cheeks a little, her
eyes shone like stars, and she looked wonderfully beautiful; the young
Duke of Vallombreuse would have been more madly enamoured of her than
ever if he could have seen her then. As for de Sigognac, he gazed at her
with unfeigned delight, his dark, expressive eyes eloquent of adoring
love and deep reverence. A new sentiment mingled with his passion
now--ever since she had opened her heart to him, and let him see all its
heavenly purity and goodness--which elevated, ennobled, and intensified
it. He knew now the true, lofty beauty of her soul, that it was akin
to the angels, and but for the keen, ever-increasing grief he suffered
because of her firm refusal to give herself wholly to him, his
happiness, in possessing her faithful, devoted love, would have been too
perfect for this life of trials and sorrow.

When supper was over, de Sigognac accompanied Isabelle to the threshhold
of her own room, and said ere he left her, "Be sure to fasten your door
securely, my sweet Isabelle, for there are so many people about in a
great hotel like this that one cannot be too careful."

"You need have no fears for me here, my dear baron," she replied; "only
look at this lock, and you will be convinced of that. Why it is strong
enough for a prison door, and the key turns thrice in it. And here is
a great thick bolt besides--actually as long as my arm. The window is
securely barred, and there is no dreadful bull's eye, or opening of any
kind in the wall, to make me afraid. Travellers so often have articles
of value with them that I suppose it is necessary for them to have such
protections against thieves. Make yourself easy about me, de Sigogn