CHAPTER XXVII.
IN THE CABIN OF MADAM Woman must not belong to herself; she is bound to alien destinies .-- _Friedrich von Schiller_.
With an exclamation of surprise the old woman departed from the door.

I heard the rustle of a footfall.

I could have told in advance what face would now appear outlined in the candle glow--with eyes wide and startled, with lips half parted in query.

It was the face of Helena, Baroness von Ritz! "_Eh bien!_ madam, why do you bar me out ?" I said, as though we had parted but yesterday.
In her sheer astonishment, I presume, she let down the fastening chain, and without her invitation I stepped within.

I heard her startled "_Mon Dieu!_" then her more deliberate exclamation of emotion.