The next, she suddenly changed into a timid woman, shaken in every limb by the cold grasp of fear.
What influence had wrought the transformation?
Nothing but a knock at the door.
"Who's there ?" she cried.
The voice that answered her was the voice of Jack Straw.
"Hullo, there, Mrs.Fontaine! Let me in." She placed a strong constraint on herself; she spoke in friendly tones.
"What do you want, Jack ?" "I want to show you my keys." "What do I care about the crazy wretch's keys ?"--was the thought that passed through Madame Fontaine's mind, when Jack answered her from the outer side of the door.

But she was still careful, when she spoke to him, to disguise her voice in its friendliest tones.
"Excuse me for keeping you waiting, Jack.

I can't let you in yet." "Why not ?" "Because I am dressing.

Come back in half an hour; and I shall be glad to see you." There was no reply to this.

Jack's step was so light that it was impossible to hear, through the door, whether he had gone away or not.
After waiting a minute, the widow ventured on peeping out.