ir very speed might arouse suspicion--and
gave orders accordingly; as soon as they were fairly beyond the gate
he took Chiquita into the carriage--where she seated herself, without a
word, opposite to de Sigognac. Under the calmest exterior she was filled
with a preternatural excitement--not a muscle of her face moved; but
a bright flush glowed on her usually pale cheeks, which gave to her
magnificent dark eyes--now fixed upon vacancy, and seeing nothing that
was before them--a marvellous brilliancy. A complete transformation
had taken place in Chiquita--this violent shock had torn asunder the
childish chrysalis in which the young maiden had lain dormant--as she
plunged her knife into Agostino's heart she opened her own. Her love was
born of that murder--the strange, almost sexless being, half child, half
goblin, that she had been until then, existed no longer--Chiquita was
a woman from the moment of that heroic act of sublime devotion. Her
passion, that had bloomed out in one instant, was destined to be
eternal--a kiss and a stab, that was Chiquita's love story.

The carriage rolled smoothly and swiftly on its way towards
Vallombreuse, and when the high, steep roof of the chateau came in sight
the young duke said to de Sigognac, "You must go with me to my room
first, where you can get rid of the dust, and freshen up a bit before I
present you to my sister--who knows nothing whatever of my journey,
or its motive. I have prepared a surprise for her, and I want it to be
complete--so please draw down the curtain on your side, while I do the
same on mine, in order that we may not be seen, as we drive into the
court, from any of the windows that command a view of it. But what are
we to do with this little wretch here?"

Chiquita, who was roused from her deep reverie by the duke's question,
looked gravely up at him, and said, "Let some one take me to Mlle.
Isabelle--she will decide what is to be done with me."

With all the curtains carefully drawn down the carriage drove over the
drawbridge and into the court. Vallombreuse alighted, took de Sigognac's
arm, and led him silently to his own apartment, after having ordered a
servant to conduct Chiquita to the presence of the Comtesse de Lineuil.
At sight of her Isabelle was greatly astonished, and, laying down the
book she was reading, fixed upon the poor child a look full of interest,
affection, and questioning.

Chiquita stood silent and motionless until the servant had ret