de Plougastel's errand must
be akin to her own. At the moment, in the general distress and
confusion of her mind, her mental vision focussed entirely on the
one vital point, she found in this no matter for astonishment. The
singular regard conceived by Mme. de Plougastel for Andre-Louis
seemed to her then a sufficient explanation.
Without pausing to consider, she ran down that steep staircase,
calling:
"Madame! Madame!"
The portly, comely housekeeper drew aside, and the two ladies faced
each other on that threshold. Mme. de Plougastel looked white and
haggard, a nameless dread staring from her eyes.
"Aline! You here!" she exclaimed. And then in the urgency sweeping
aside all minor considerations, "Were you also too late?" she asked.
"No, madame. I saw him. I implored him. But he would not listen."
"Oh, this is horrible!" Mme. de Plougastel shuddered as she spoke.
"I heard of it only half an hour ago, and I came at once, to prevent
it at all costs."
The two women looked blankly, despairingly, at each other.
Pages:
542
543
544
545
546
547
548
549
550
551
552
553
554
555
556
557
558
559
560
561
562
563
564
565
566