anguished, and I could
not repress a smile as I thought of him. Even the Spaniards sometimes
happened upon justice. In the Rue Bourbon the little shops were empty,
the doorstep where my merry fiddler had played vacant, and the very air
seemed to simmer above the honeycombed tiles. I knocked at the door,
once, twice. There was no answer. I looked at Madame la Vicomtesse, and
knocked again so loudly that the little tailor across the street, his
shirt opened at the neck, flung out his shutter. Suddenly there was a
noise within, the door was opened, and Lindy stood before us, in the
darkened room, with terror in her eyes.

"Oh, Marse Dave," she cried, as we entered, "oh, Madame, I'se so glad
you'se come, I'se so glad you'se come."

She burst into a flood of tears. And Madame la Vicomtesse, raising her
veil, seized the girl by the arm.

"What is it?" she said. "What is the matter, Lindy?"

Madame's touch seemed to steady her.

"Miss Sally," she moaned, "Miss Sally done got de yaller fever."

There was a moment's silence, for we were both too appalled by the news
to speak.

"Lindy, are you sure?" said the Vicomtesse.

"Yass'm, yass'm," Lindy sobbed, "I reckon I'se done seed 'nuf of it,
Mistis." And she went into a hysterical fit of weeping.

The Vicomtesse turned to her own frightened servants in the doorway,
bade Andre in French to run for Dr. Perrin, and herself closed the
battened doors. There was a moment when her face as I saw it was graven
on my memory, reflecting a knowledge of the evils of this world, a
spirit above and untouched by them, a power to accept what life may
bring with no outward sign of pleasure or dismay. Doubtless thus she had
made King and Cardinal laugh, doubtless thus, ministering to those who
crossed her path, she had met her own calamities. Strangest of all was
the effect she had upon Lindy, for the girl ceased crying as she watched
her.

Madame la Vicomtesse turned to me.

"You must go at once," she said. "When you get to Madame Gravois's,
write to Mr. Temple. I will send Andre to you there."

She started for the bedroom door, Lindy making way for her. I scarcely
knew what I did as I sprang forward and took the Vicomtesse by the arm.

"Where are you going?" I cried. "You cannot go in there! You cannot go
in there!"

It did not seem strange that she turned to me without anger, that she
did not seek to release her arm. It did not seem strange that her look
had in it a gentleness as