Marguerite did not move, she remained there, thinking.

.

.
wondering what was to be done.
Just as little Suzanne was about to mount the terrace steps, a groom came running round the house towards his mistress.

He carried a sealed letter in his hand.

Suzanne instinctively turned back; her heart told her that here perhaps was further ill news for her friend, and she felt that poor Margot was not in a fit state to bear any more.
The groom stood respectfully beside his mistress, then he handed her the sealed letter.
"What is that ?" asked Marguerite.
"Just come by runner, my lady." Marguerite took the letter mechanically, and turned it over in her trembling fingers.
"Who sent it ?" she said.
"The runner said, my lady," replied the groom, "that his orders were to deliver this, and that your ladyship would understand from whom it came." Marguerite tore open the envelope.