en,
as Aline rose into view, detaching from her background, and he at last
perceived her, he heaved himself abruptly to his weary legs again, and
stood there stiffly bowing to her across the space of gleaming floor.
"Mademoiselle, I had not suspected your presence," he said, and he
seemed extraordinarily ill-at-ease, a man startled, as if caught in an
illicit act.

"I perceived it, monsieur," she answered, as she advanced to do madame's
commission. She paused before him. "From my heart, monsieur, I grieve
that we should meet again in circumstances so very painful."

Not since the day of his duel with Andre-Louis--the day which had seen
the death and burial of his last hope of winning her--had they stood face
to face.

He checked as if on the point of answering her. His glance strayed to
Mme. de Plougastel, and, oddly reticent for one who could be very glib,
he bowed in silence.

"But sit, monsieur, I beg. You are fatigued."

"You are gracious to observe it. With your permission, then." And he
resumed his seat. She continued on her way to the door and passed out
upon her errand.

When presently she returned they had almost unaccountably changed
places. It was Mme. de Plougastel who was seated in that armchair of
brocade and gilt, and M. de La Tour d'Azyr who, despite his lassitude,
was leaning over the back of it talking earnestly, seeming by his
attitude to plead with her. On Aline's entrance he broke off instantly
and moved away, so that she was left with a sense of having intruded.
Further she observed that the Countess was in tears.

Following her came presently the diligent Jacques, bearing a tray laden
with food and wine. Madame poured for her guest, and he drank a long
draught of the Burgundy, then begged, holding forth his grimy hands,
that he might mend his appearance before sitting down to eat.

He was led away and valeted by Jacques, and when he returned he had
removed from his person the last vestige of the rough handling he had
received. He looked almost his normal self, the disorder in his attire
repaired, calm and dignified and courtly in his bearing, but very pale
and haggard of face, seeming suddenly to have increased in years, to
have reached in appearance the age that was in fact his own.

As he ate and drank--and this with appetite, for as he told them he had
not tasted food since early morning--he entered into the details of the
dreadful events of the day, and gave them the particulars of