If I am to be the
last of the de Sigognacs, I can only say, the will of God be done. There
is still a vacant place left for me in the vault where my forefathers
lie.
"BARON DE SIGOGNAC."
The baron sealed this letter with the ring bearing his family arms,
which was the only jewel remaining in his possession; directed it, and
put it into his portfolio, to wait until he should find an opportunity
to forward it to Gascony. Although by this time it was very late, he
could still hear the vague roar of the great city, which, like the sound
of the ocean, never entirely ceases, and was so strange and novel to
him, in contrast with the profound silence of the country that he had
been accustomed to all his life long. As he sat listening to it, he
thought he heard cautious footsteps in the corridor, and extinguishing
his light, softly opened his door just a very little way, scarcely more
than a crack--and caught a glimpse of a man, enveloped in a large cloak,
stealing along slowly in the direction the other one had taken. He
listened breathlessly until he heard him reach, and quietly enter,
apparently the same door. A few minutes later, while he was still on the
lookout, another one came creeping stealthily by, making futile efforts
to stifle the noise of his creaking boots.
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