The alarm proved to be false, however; and then again, taking another turn, I set the piece back.

I had done nothing so foolish for--for more years than I like to count.
But when Madame and Mademoiselle came down, they had eyes neither for the flowers nor the room.

They had heard that the Captain was out beating the village and the woods for the fugitive, and where I had looked for a comedy I found a tragedy.

Madame's face was so red with weeping that all her beauty was gone.

She started and shook at the slightest sound, and, unable to find any words to answer my greeting, could only sink into a chair and sit crying silently.
Mademoiselle was in a mood scarcely more cheerful.