Aline said "Ouf!" and went out by the window.

He called after her, imperiously commanding her return. But
Aline--dutiful child--closed her ears lest she must disobey him, and
sped light-footed across the lawn to the avenue there to intercept the
departing Andre-Louis.

As he came forth wrapped in gloom, she stepped from the bordering trees
into his path.

"Aline!" he cried, joyously almost.

"I did not want you to go like this. I couldn't let you," she explained
herself. "I know him better than you do, and I know that his great soft
heart will presently melt. He will be filled with regret. He will want
to send for you, and he will not know where to send."

"You think that?"

"Oh, I know it! You arrive in a bad moment. He is peevish and
cross-grained, poor man, since he came here. These soft surroundings
are all so strange to him. He wearies himself away from his beloved
Gavrillac, his hunting and tillage, and the truth is that in his mind he
very largely blames you for what has happened--for the necessity, or at
least, the wisdom, of this change. Brittany, you must know, was becoming
too unsafe. The chateau of La Tour d'Azyr, amongst others, was burnt to
the ground some months ago. At any moment, given a fresh excitement, it
may be the turn of Gavrillac. And for this and his present discomfort he
blames you and your friends. But he will come round presently. He will
be sorry that he sent you away like this--for I know that he loves you,
Andre, in spite of all. I shall reason with him when the time comes. And
then we shall want to know where to find you."

"At number 13, Rue du Hasard. The number is unlucky, the name of the
street appropriate. Therefore both are easy to remember."

She nodded. "I will walk with you to the gates." And side by side now
they proceeded at a leisurely pace down the long avenue in the June
sunshine dappled by the shadows of the bordering trees. "You are looking
well, Andre; and do you know that you have changed a deal? I am glad
that you have prospered." And then, abruptly changing the subject before
he had time to answer her, she came to the matter uppermost in her mind.

"I have so wanted to see you in all these months, Andre. You were the
only one who could help me; the only one who could tell me the truth,
and I was angry with you for never having written to say where you were
to be found."

"Of course you encouraged me to do so when last we met in Nantes."

"What? Still r