me that pressing business would
prevent his coming, although it was his regular day. What could have
happened to keep him away? I feared some evil. The next day I awaited
him impatiently and distracted, when his valet brought Schmidt a
note for me. In that letter, sir, Albert entreated me to grant him
an interview. It was necessary, he wrote, that he should have a long
conversation with me, alone, and without delay. Our whole future, he
added, depended upon this interview. He left me to fix the day and hour,
urging me to confide in no one. I did not hesitate. I sent him word to
meet me on the Tuesday evening, at the little garden gate, which opens
into an unfrequented street. To inform me of his presence, he was to
knock just as nine o'clock chimed at the Invalides. I knew that my
grandmother had invited a number of her friends for that evening; and I
thought that, by pretending a headache, I might retire early, and so be
free. I expected, also, that Madame d'Arlange would keep Schmidt with
her."

"Excuse me, mademoiselle," interrupted M. Daburon, "what day did you
write to M. Albert?"

"On Tuesday."

"Can you fix the hour?"

"I must have sent the letter between two and three o'clock."

"Thanks, mademoiselle. Continue, I pray."

"All my anticipations," continued Claire, "were realised. I retired
during the evening, and I went into the garden a little before the
appointed time. I had procured the key of the little door; and I at
once tried it. Unfortunately, I could not make it turn, the lock was so
rusty. I exerted all my strength in vain. I was in despair, when nine
o'clock struck. At the third stroke, Albert knocked. I told him of the
accident; and I threw him the key, that he might try and unlock the
door. He tried, but without success. I then begged him to postpone our
interview. He replied that it was impossible, that what he had to say
admitted of no delay; that, during three days he had hesitated about
confiding in me, and had suffered martyrdom, and that he could endure it
no longer. We were speaking, you must understand, through the door. At
last, he declared that he would climb over the wall. I begged him not to
do so, fearing an accident. The wall is very high, as you know; the top
is covered with pieces of broken glass, and the acacia branches stretch
out above like a hedge. But he laughed at my fears, and said that,
unless I absolutely forbade him to do so, he was going to attempt
to scale the wall