See that your news is equally exemplary, and do not forget to burn this paper." She folded the letter, and leaving her room with every possible precaution, crossed a corridor which led to the apartments appropriated to the gentlemen attached to Monsieur's service.

She stopped before a door, under which, having previously knocked twice in a short, quick manner, she thrust the paper, and fled.

Then, returning to her own room, she removed every trace of her having gone out, and also of having written the letter.

Amid the investigations she was so diligently pursuing she perceived on the table the mask which belonged to Madame, and which, according to her mistress's directions, she had brought back but had forgotten to restore to her.

"Oh, oh!" she said, "I must not forget to do to-morrow what I have forgotten to-day." And she took hold of the velvet mask by that part which covered the cheeks, and feeling that her thumb was wet, looked at it.