He entered slowly.
No sight could have been more dreadful to Mademoiselle; for it set at naught the conditions which she had so hardly exacted.

What if Count Hannibal were behind, were even now mounting the stairs, prepared to force her to a marriage before this shaveling?
Or ready to proceed, if she refused, to the last extremity?
Sudden terror taking her by the throat choked her; her colour fled, her hand flew to her breast.

Yet, before the door had closed on Bigot, she had recovered herself.
"This intrusion is not by M.de Tavannes' orders!" she cried, stepping forward haughtily.

"This person has no business here.

How dare you admit him ?" The Norman showed his bearded visage a moment at the door.
"My lord's orders," he muttered sullenly.