" She was perfectly composed. "If this
man intended evil, surely he would not come alone. Conduct him to
me, and then beg Mlle. de Kercadiou to join me if she is awake."
Jacques departed, himself partly reassured. Madame seated herself
in the armchair by the table well within the light. She smoothed
her dress with a mechanical hand. If, as it would seem, her hopes
had been futile, so had her momentary fears. A man on any but an
errand of peace would have brought some following with him, as she
had said.
The door opened again, and Jacques reappeared; after him, stepping
briskly past him, came a slight man in a wide-brimmed hat, adorned
by a tricolour cockade. About the waist of an olive-green
riding-coat he wore a broad tricolour sash; a sword hung at his side.
He swept off his hat, and the candlelight glinted on the steel
buckle in front of it. Madame found herself silently regarded by
a pair of large, dark eyes set in a lean, brown face, eyes that
were most singularly intent and searching.
She leaned forward, incredulity swept across her countenance.
Pages:
607
608
609
610
611
612
613
614
615
616
617
618
619
620
621
622
623
624
625
626
627
628
629
630
631