landing to recover his
breath. He was, then, about to see her again! His emotion pressed his
heart like a vice.

"M. Noel Gerdy?" he asked of the servant.

The advocate had just that moment gone out. She did not know where he
had gone; but he had said he should not be out more than half an hour.

"We will wait for him, then," said the count.

He advanced; and the servant drew back to let them pass. Noel had
strictly forbidden her to admit any visitors; but the Count de Commarin
was one of those whose appearance makes servants forget all their
orders.

Three persons were in the room into which the servant introduced the
count and Mademoiselle d'Arlange.

They were the parish priest, the doctor, and a tall man, an officer
of the Legion of Honour, whose figure and bearing indicated the old
soldier.

They were conversing near the fireplace, and the arrival of strangers
appeared to astonish them exceedingly.

In bowing, in response to M. de Commarin's and Claire's salutations,
they seemed to inquire their business: but this hesitation was brief,
for the soldier almost immediately offered Mademoiselle d'Arlange a
chair.

The count considered that his presence was inopportune; and he thought
that he was called upon to introduce himself, and explain his visit.

"You will excuse me, gentlemen," said he, "if I am indiscreet. I did not
think of being so when I asked to wait for Noel, whom I have the most
pressing need of seeing. I am the Count de Commarin."

At this name, the old soldier let go the back of the chair which he was
still holding and haughtily raised his head. An angry light flashed in
his eyes, and he made a threatening gesture. His lips moved, as if he
were about to speak; but he restrained himself, and retired, bowing his
head, to the window.

Neither the count nor the two other men noticed his strange behaviour;
but it did not escape Claire.

While Mademoiselle d'Arlange sat down rather surprised, the count, much
embarrassed at his position, went up to the priest, and asked in a low
voice, "What is, I pray, M. l'Abbe; Madame Gerdy's condition?"

The doctor, who had a sharp ear, heard the question, and approached
quickly.

He was very pleased to have an opportunity to speak to a person as
celebrated as the Count de Commarin, and to become acquainted with him.

"I fear, sir," he said, "that she cannot live throughout the day."

The count pressed his hand against his forehead, as though he had