I could not see whether the latch moved; whether or no it was rising.

But watching intently, I made out that the door was being opened--slowly, noiselessly.

I saw someone enter--a furtive gliding shadow.
For a moment I felt nervous--then I recognised the dark hooded figure.
It was only Madame d'O.

Brave woman! She had evaded the Vidame and slipped back to the rescue.

Ha, ha! We would defeat the Vidame yet! Things were going better! But then something in her manner--as she stood holding the door and peering into the room--something in her bearing startled and frightened me.