the looker like an electric
shock. She stopped short,--so suddenly that those who immediately
followed her had a narrow escape from collision. Her face was heavily
veiled, and beneath that veil was but one eye, yet in the same swift
glance with which she comprehended the figure she took in the elastic
step and the happy face of Mlle. Fouchette.

"Mort au diable!" she muttered in her masculine voice,--a voice which
startled those who dodged the physical shock,--and added to herself,
"It must be love!" She saw the flowers at the girl's throat. "She
loves!"

It was at the same instant Mlle. Fouchette had raised her eyes to the
Prefecture that stretched along the quai to the Parvis de la Notre
Dame.

Ah, ca!

And after years of servitude,--from childhood,--some of it a servitude
of the most despicable nature,--she had at last struck off the
shackles!

No,--she had merely changed masters; she had exchanged a master whom
she feared and hated for one she loved--adored!

Mlle. Fouchette, for the first time in her life, walked willingly and
boldly past the very front door of the Prefecture,--"like any other
lady," she would have said.

An agent of the Prefecture, who knew her from having worked with her,
happened to see this from the court and hastily stepped out. He
observed her walk, critically, and shook his head.

"Something is in the wind," said he.

But as the secret agents of the government are never allowed to enter
the Prefecture, he watched for some sign to follow. She gave none.

Nevertheless, he slowly sauntered in the same direction, not daring to
accost her and yet watchful of some recognition of his presence.

It was the same polite young man who had surrendered his place in the
dance to Jean on the night of Mardi Gras. He had not gone twenty yards
before a robust young woman heavily veiled brushed past him with an
oath.

"Pardieu!" he said to himself, "but this seems to be a feminine
chase." And he quickened his steps as if to take part in the hunt.

Reaching the corner, Mlle. Fouchette doubled around the Prefecture and
made straight for the Hotel Dieu.

Rapidly gaining on her in the rear came the veiled woman, evidently
growing more and more agitated.

And immediately behind and still more swiftly came the sleuth from the
Prefecture. To be sure, there were always plenty of people crossing
the broad plaza of Notre Dame from various directions and three going
the same way would not have attra