you
would be frightened and dizzy, and might fall, so you had better stay
where you are. Good-bye! I am going straight to Paris, and shall soon be
back again; I can get on quickly in this bright moonlight."

Isabelle did as she was bid, and the branch, being no longer held by
the cord, swung back to its original position. In less than a minute
Chiquita had scrambled down to the ground, and the captive soon lost
sight of her slender little figure as she walked off briskly towards the
capital.

All that had just occurred seemed like a strange dream to Isabelle, now
that she found herself alone again. She remained for some time at the
open casement, looking at the great tree opposite, and trembling as she
realized the terrible risk Chiquita had run for her sake--feeling warm
gratitude and tender affection for the wild, incomprehensible little
creature, who manifested such a strong attachment for herself, and a new
hope sprang up in her heart as she thought that now de Sigognac would
soon know where to find her. The cold night air at last forced her to
close the window, and after arranging the curtains over it carefully,
so as to show no signs of having been disturbed, she returned to her
easy-chair by the fire; and just in time, for she had scarcely seated
herself when the major-domo entered, followed by the two servants,
again carrying the little table, set for one, with her supper daintily
arranged upon it. A few minutes earlier and Chiquita's escape would have
been discovered and prevented. Isabelle, still greatly agitated by all
that had passed, could not eat, and signed to the servants to remove the
supper untouched. Whereupon the major-domo himself put some bread and
wine on a small table beside the bed, and placed on a chair near the
fire a richly trimmed dressing-gown, and everything that a lady could
require in making her toilet for the night. Several large logs of wood
were piled up on the massive andirons, the candles were renewed, and
then the major-domo, approaching Isabelle with a profound obeisance,
said to her that if she desired the services of a maid he would send one
to her. As she made a gesture of dissent he withdrew, after again bowing
to her most respectfully. When they had all gone, Isabelle, quite worn
out, threw herself down on the outside of the bed without undressing, so
as to be ready in case of any sudden alarm in the night; then took out
Chiquita's knife, opened it, and laid it beside her. H