"Who was it ?" "The Duke of Saint-Maclou," he whispered mysteriously.
"Is he gone ?" I asked in some alarm.

I had no wish to encounter him.
"This half-hour, sir." "Did he see both the ladies ?" "No; only the young lady.

Madame went out immediately on his arrival, and is not yet returned." "And mademoiselle ?" "She is in her room." Thinking I had not got much, save good will, for my ten francs--for he told me nothing but what I had expected to hear--I was about to pass on, when he added, in a tone which seemed more significant than the question demanded: "Are you going up to your room, sir ?" "I am," said I.
"Permit me to show you the way," he said--though his escort seemed to me very unnecessary.
He mounted before me.

We reached the first floor.

Opposite to us, not three yards away, was the door of the sitting-room which I knew to be occupied by the Delhasses.
"Go on," said I.
"In a moment, sir," he said.
Then he held up his hand in the attitude of a man who listens.
"One should not listen," he whispered, apologetically; "but it is so strange.