He took from his belt the packet of letters, and as Carlat held the boat for Madame St.Lo to enter, he gave it to the Countess, as he had given it to her yesterday.

"Have a care of it, Madame," he said in a low voice, "and do not let it pass out of your hands.

To lose it may be to lose my head." The colour ebbed from her cheeks.

In spite of herself her shaking hand put back the packet.

"Had you not better then--give it to Bigot ?" she faltered.
"He is bathing." "Let him bathe afterwards." "No," he answered almost harshly; he found a species of pleasure in showing her that, strange as their relations were, he trusted her.