ey my compliments and good wishes to Mademoiselle Elise
when she departs for Paris."

As Mademoiselle read she grew cold and shuddered.

M. Lorman eyed the untouched food on the table and smiled slily.

"You have won," he said. "I am your debtor. What is to be the forfeit?"

"I am not well to-day," she answered peevishly. "Don't be stupid,
please. What was it that you came to see me about?"

He looked embarrassed, and replied hastily:

"Nothing--I was passing, and called in on my way to meet Augustin. I
dare not stay. He will be waiting for me. I am sorry you are ill. You
must rest. Good-bye."

In the street he took out his snuff-box and excitedly inhaled two large
pinches.

"Parbleu!" he muttered; "it has surprised me. I didn't think it
possible."

Mademoiselle went to her bedroom and locked the door, as if to shut all
the world out from her. Then she cast herself down and sobbed as if her
heart would break. "Why did he not come to me?" she moaned. "Why did he
not let me know?--I cannot live without him."

At Rouen, Raoul engaged a room at the Hotel de Bordeaux. Then he started
off to visit M. Gerome Perrin, but turned aside and went into the
country instead. The peasants saluted him as they passed, but he did not
reply. At times he talked half aloud and laughed bitterly.

Once he paused abruptly. It occurred to him that perhaps, after all, his
own vanity was misleading him. No doubt Mademoiselle had already
forgotten what had happened, and was wondering what had become of him.
"I must write to her," he said. And the idea that he was acting
unaccountably strengthened itself in his mind, and gradually he regained
the mastery of himself. Was it not stupid, he thought, to suspect that
Mademoiselle had discerned his secret. He had guarded it so carefully;
he had never given the least sign--until her eyes had robbed him of his
self-control. But to think that she should for a moment dream that a
hunchback would dare.--The idea was absurd. He began to see things
clearly again.

Half-an-hour later he turned and walked back to Rouen, paid his bill at
the Hotel de Bordeaux, drove to the station, and took the train to
Rocheville. He had resolved to explain to Mademoiselle that he had been
called unexpectedly away.

M. Lorman frowned when Jacques came to tell him that Monsieur Raoul had
been able to return.

* * * * *

It was dark when Mademoiselle, pale and trembling, rose fr