It is said that wherever a man may be cast he makes a little world around him.

But it seemed rather that for me a world of hope and fear and interest and suspense was forming itself, despite me, encompassing me about so that I could not escape it.
"I will go out," I said to Madame, and left her abruptly.

I had no plan or intention--for where could I seek the Vicomte at that hour--but a great desire came over me to get away from this gloomy house, where trouble seemed to move and live.
The streets were empty.

I walked slowly to the _quai_, and then, turning to the left, approached the palace of the D'Orsays, which stood then, though to-day, in a fine irony, the broken walls alone remain, amid the new glory of republican Paris.

I knew I was going in the wrong direction, and at length, with a queer feeling of shame, turned and crossed to the Isle St.Louis.
Of course, the Vicomte had not done away with himself! The idea was absurd.