He was safe, and he had made no noise; but at the table, at supper, with his back to him and his face to the partly closed window, sat Count Hannibal! The young man's heart stood still.

For a long minute he gazed at the Count's back, spellbound and unable to stir.

Then, as Tavannes ate on without looking round, he began to take courage.

Possibly he had entered so quietly that he had not been heard, or possibly his entrance was taken for that of a servant.

In either case, there was a chance that he might retire after the same fashion; and he had actually raised the latch, and was drawing the door to him with infinite precaution, when Tavannes' voice struck him, as it were, in the face.
"Pray do not admit the draught, M.de Tignonville," he said, without looking round.