"You shall not go!" she cried, "I won't have you; you are mine--for
I love you; if you take one step, I will scream."

The count shrugged his shoulders.

"But we must end all this!"

"You sha'n't go!"

"Well, then, I'll blow my brains out here." And taking out one of
his pistols, he held it to his forehead, adding, "If you call out
and don't let me pass, I shall fire." He meant the threat for
earnest.

But Jenny did not call out; she could not; she uttered a deep groan
and fainted.

"At last!" muttered Hector, replacing the pistol in his pocket.

He went out, not taking time to lift her from the floor where she
had fallen, and shut the door. Then he called the servants into
the vestibule, gave them ten napoleons to divide among them, and
hastened away.

XIII

The Count de Tremorel, having reached the street, ascended the
boulevard. All of a sudden he bethought him of his friends. The
story of the execution must have already spread.

"No; not that way," he muttered.

This was because, on the boulevard, he would certainly meet some
of his very dear cronies, and he desired to escape their condolence
and offers of service. He pictured to himself their sorry visages,
concealing a hidden and delicious satisfaction. He had wounded so
many vanities that he must look for terrible revenges. The friends
of an insolently prosperous man are rejoiced in his downfall.

Hector crossed the street, went along the Rue Duphot, and reached
the quays. Where was he going? He did not know, and did not even
ask himself. He walked at random, enjoying the physical content
which follows a good meal, happy to find himself still in the land
of the living, in the soft April sunlight.

The weather was superb, and all Paris was out of doors. There was
a holiday air about the town. The flower-women at the corners of
the bridges had their baskets full of odorous violets. The count
bought a bouquet near the Pont Neuf and stuck it in his button-hole,
and without waiting for his change, passed on. He reached the large
square at the end of the Bourdon boulevard, which is always full of
jugglers and curiosity shows; here the noise, the music, drew him
from his torpor, and brought his thoughts back to his present
situation.

"I must leave Paris," thought he.

He crossed toward the Orleans station at a quicker pace. He entered
the waiting-room, and asked what time the train left for Etampes.
Why did h