It alarmed him more than did the visit itself, so unusual at this hour.

He saw that he had not time to reach the guard-room; he would be caught in the act of coming forth, and that might be interpreted by the Dowager or her son--if it should happen to be one or the other of them--as a hurried act of flight such as guilt might prompt.

Perhaps he exaggerated the risk; but their fortunes at Condillac had reached a point where they must not be jeopardized by any chance however slight.
"To your chamber, mademoiselle," he whispered fearfully, and he pointed to the door of the inner room.

"Lock yourself in.

Quick! Sh!" And he signed frantically to her to go silently.
Swift and quietly as a mouse she glided from the room and softly closed the door of her chamber and turned the key in a lock, which Garnache had had the foresight to keep well oiled.