Madame Carlat and a waiting-woman ran shrieking to the window; another instant and the alarm would have gone abroad.
Tignonville's voice stopped it.

"Don't you know me ?" he cried, "Madame! you at least! Carlat! Are you all mad ?" The words stayed them where they stood in an astonishment scarce less than their alarm.

The Countess tried twice to speak; the third time-- "Have you escaped ?" she muttered.
Tignonville nodded, his eyes bright with triumph.

"So far," he said.
"But they may be on our heels at any moment! Where can we hide ?" The Countess, her hand pressed to her side, looked at Javette.
"The door, girl!" she whispered.

"Lock it!" "Ay, lock it! And they can go by the back-stairs," Madame Carlat answered, awaking suddenly to the situation.