gh the stillness. At first they did not grasp its significance. A
door had opened, some steps crossed the room, and a voice called to
them:

"Fly! fly! You will be caught!"

It was Helene. Astounded, they both gazed at her. So great was their
stupefaction that they lost consciousness of their embarrassing
situation. Juliette indeed displayed no sign of confusion.

"Fly! fly!" said Helene again. "Your husband will be here in two
minutes."

"My husband!" stammered the young woman; "my husband!--why--for what
reason?"

She was losing her wits. Her brain was in a turmoil. It seemed to her
prodigious that Helene should be standing there speaking to her of her
husband.

But Helene made an angry gesture.

"Oh! if you think I've time to explain," said she,--"he is on the way
here. I give you warning. Disappear at once, both of you."

Then Juliette's agitation became extraordinary. She ran about the
rooms like a maniac, screaming out disconnected sentences.

"My God! my God!--I thank you.--Where is my cloak?--How horrid it is,
this room being so dark!--Give me my cloak.--Bring me a candle, to
help me to find my cloak.--My dear, you mustn't mind if I don't stop
to thank you.--I can't get my arms into the sleeves--no, I can't get
them in--no, I can't!"

She was paralyzed with fear, and Helene was obliged to assist her with
her cloak. She put her bonnet on awry, and did not even tie the
ribbons. The worst of it, however, was that they lost quite a minute
in hunting for her veil, which had fallen on the floor. Her words came
with a gasp; her trembling hands moved about in bewilderment, fumbling
over her person to ascertain whether she might be leaving anything
behind which might compromise her.

"Oh, what a lesson! what a lesson! Thank goodness, it is well over!"

Malignon was very pale, and made a sorry appearance. His feet beat a
tattoo on the ground, as he realized that he was both scorned and
ridiculous. His lips could only give utterance to the wretched
question:

"Then you think I ought to go away as well?"

Then, as no answer was vouchsafed him, he took up his cane, and went
on talking by way of affecting perfect composure. They had plenty of
time, said he. It happened that there was another staircase, a small
servants' staircase, now never used, but which would yet allow of
their descent. Madame Deberle's cab had remained at the door; it would
convey both of them away along the quays. And again he repeated