without meeting with any further opposition, and
conducted the duchess to her litter, which was guarded by two servants.
Arrived there and feeling herself in safety, she pressed Ernanton's
hand, and said, "M. Ernanton, after what has just passed, after the
insult which, in spite of your courage, you could not defend me from,
and which might probably be renewed, we can come here no more; seek, I
beg of you, some house in the neighborhood to sell or to let; before
long you shall hear from me."

"Must I now take leave of you, madame?" said Ernanton, bowing in token
of obedience to the flattering orders he had just received.

"Not yet, M. de Carmainges; follow my litter as far as the new bridge,
lest that wretch who recognized in me the lady of the litter, but did
not know me for what I am, should follow to find out my residence."

Ernanton obeyed, but no one watched them. When they arrived at the Pont
Neuf, which then merited the name, as it was scarcely seven years since
Ducerceau had built it, the duchess gave her hand to Ernanton, saying,
"Now go, monsieur."

"May I dare to ask when I shall see you again, madame?"

"That depends on the length of time which you take in executing my
commission, and your haste will be a proof to me of your desire to see
me again."

"Oh, madame, I shall not be idle."

"Well, then, go, Ernanton."

"It is strange," thought the young man, as he retraced his steps; "I
cannot doubt that she likes me, and yet she does not seem the least
anxious as to whether or not I get killed by that brute of a St. Maline.
But, poor woman, she was in great trouble, and the fear of being
compromised is, particularly with princesses, the strongest of all
sentiments."

Ernanton, however, could not forget the insult he had received, and he
returned straight to the hotel. He was naturally decided to infringe all
orders and oaths, and to finish with St. Maline; he felt in the humor
to fight ten men, if necessary. This resolution sparkled in his eyes
when he reached the door of the "Brave Chevalier." Madame Fournichon,
who expected his return with anxiety, was standing trembling in the
doorway. At the sight of Ernanton she wiped her eyes, as if she had been
crying, and throwing her arms round the young man's neck, begged for his
pardon, in spite of her husband's representations that, as she had done
no wrong, she had nothing to be pardoned for. Ernanton assured her that
he did not blame her at all--that it