'Whatever they were, M.de Cocheforet lost it and them at starting.
A week ago he came back--unfortunately for himself--to seek them.' She was looking full in my face now.

She seemed scarcely to breathe in the intensity of her surprise and expectation.
'You had a search made, Mademoiselle,' I continued quietly.

'Your servants left no place unexplored The paths, the roads, the very woods were ransacked, But in vain, because all the while the orange sachet lay whole and unopened in my pocket.' 'No!' she cried impetuously.

'There, you lie sir, as usual! The sachet was found, torn open, many leagues from this place!' 'Where I threw it, Mademoiselle,' I replied, 'that I might mislead your rascals and be free to return to you.

Oh! believe me,' I continued, letting something of my true self, something of my triumph, appear at last in my voice.