e wide
interior led far back from the street and its tumult; nor did there
arise within the walls any sound of voice or footfall. Of the entire
household there was but one left to do the master service.

They entered the great hall, passed the foot of the wide stairway, and
turned at the first _entresol_, where were seats and couches. The
servant paused for a moment and looked inquiringly at the lady with whom
he now found himself in company.

"The times are serious," he began. "I would not intrude, Madame, yet
perhaps you are aware--"

"I am a friend of monsieur," replied Lady Catharine. "He is ill. See, he
is not himself. Tell me, what is this illness?"

"Madame," said the Swiss, gravely, "his illness is that of grief.
Monsieur's failure sits heavily upon him."

[Illustration]

"How long is it since he slept?" asked the lady, for she noted the
drooping head of the man now reclining upon the couch.

"Not for many days and nights," replied the Swiss. "He has for the last
few days been under much strain. But shall I not assist you, Madame? You
are, perhaps--pardon me, since I do not know your relationship with
monsieur--"

"A friend of years ago. I knew Mr. Law when he lived in England."

"I perceive. Perhaps Madame would be alone for a time? If you please, I
will seek aid."

They approached the side of the couch. Law's head lay back upon the
cushions. His breath came deeply and slowly, not stertorously nor
labored.

"How strange," whispered the Swiss, "he sleeps!"

Such was indeed the truth. The iron nature, so long overwrought, now
utterly unstrung, had yielded for the first time to the stress of nature
and of events. The relief from what he had taken to be death had come
swiftly, and the reaction brought a lethal calm of its own. If he had
indeed recognized the face of the woman who had touched him with her
hand, it was as though he had witnessed her in a vision, a dream bitter
and troubled, since it was a dream impossible to be true.

The Swiss looked still hesitatingly at the lady who had thus strangely
come upon the scene, noticing her sweet and tender mouth, her cheeks
just faintly tinged with pink, her eyes shining with a soft, mysterious
radiance. She approached the couch and laid both her hands upon the face
of the unconscious man. Tears sprang within her eyes and fell from her
dark lashes. The old servant looked up at her, simply.

"Madame would be alone with monsieur?" asked he. "It will be