He went to see Madame de Cintre the next day, and was informed by the servant that she was at home.

He passed as usual up the large, cold staircase and through a spacious vestibule above, where the walls seemed all composed of small door panels, touched with long-faded gilding; whence he was ushered into the sitting-room in which he had already been received.

It was empty, and the servant told him that Madame la Comtesse would presently appear.

He had time, while he waited, to wonder whether Bellegarde had seen his sister since the evening before, and whether in this case he had spoken to her of their talk.

In this case Madame de Cintre's receiving him was an encouragement.