I was, however, fixed in my determination, and only gave way in so far as to promise to return as soon as possible.

These details are recorded thus at length, as they are all links of a chain which pieced itself together later in my life.

Such links there are in the story of every human existence, and no incident seems to stand quite alone.
After dinner that evening I went to my own study, leaving the Vicomte to join the ladies in the drawing-room without me.

So far as I was able I had arranged during the last few days the affairs which had been confidingly placed in my care, and desired to leave books and papers in such a condition that a successor could at once take up the thread of management.
The Vicomte was so disturbed at the mention of my departure that the topic had been carefully avoided during dinner, though I make no doubt that he knew my purpose in refusing to go to the drawing-room.
I was at work in my room--between the two tall candles--when the rustle of a woman's dress in the open doorway made me look up.

Lucille had come into the room--her eyes bright, her cheeks flushed.