She started back, but did not withdraw.

Still peering down at me, she called softly to some one inside the chamber, and immediately a second figure, taller and stouter, appeared.

I had already doffed my cap, and I now, in a low voice, begged to know if I had the honour of speaking to Mademoiselle de la Vire.

In the growing darkness it was impossible to distinguish faces.
'Hush!' the stouter figure muttered in a tone of warning.

'Speak lower.
Who are you, and what do you here ?' 'I am here,' I answered respectfully, 'commissioned by a friend of the lady I have named, to convey her to a place of safety.' 'Mon dieu!' was the sharp answer.