"Apparently your compliments frightened her. Yes, she is timid enough," said Madame de Sainfoy. "She not only ran away from you, but from the ball. I understand her now. She is a mere child, Monsieur le Général, unaccustomed to--to--" Adélaïde broke off, a little absently. "I sent a person to find her. I will send again, but--if you will forgive me--" with a dazzling smile--"I would advise you not to say much more to Hélène till the affair is really decided beyond all question--yes, what is it?" A servant came up to her, hesitating, glancing at the General, who said quickly, his face darkening, "I consider it decided now." "So do I--so it is, of course," she said quickly. "Well?" to the servant. "Monsieur de la Marinière asks if he can see Madame la Comtesse for five minutes." "Ask him to wait--" she was beginning, coldly, when Monsieur Urbain came hurrying impatiently across the room. "Ah--my very good friend, Monsieur de la Marinière," Ratoneau said with a grin. He did not move away. Urbain came up and kissed Adélaïde's hand and looked at her with an extraordinary expression. He was plainly dressed for travelling, a strange-looking guest in those rooms. His square face was drawn into hard lines, his mouth was set, his eyes were staring. She gazed at him, fascinated, and her lips formed the words, "What is it, Urbain?" Then she suddenly said, turning white, "Something has happened to Hervé!" "To Hervé? I don't know. Yes, he seems to have gone mad," said Urbain. "You know nothing of it? I thought as much--but I have come straight to you. Where is Hervé? He is here now, surely? I must speak to him." "What are you talking about? Are you sure it is not _you_ who have gone mad? As to Hervé, I have not seen him for the last hour. I was looking for him." "He looked devilish queer when I saw him last," muttered the General. "Mademoiselle ran after him; they are a pretty pair." Urbain and Adélaïde both looked at him vaguely; then again at each other. "Where is he now? Do you know?" she said. "He left the château, madame, with your daughter and her husband," Urbain said, slowly and indistinctly, grinding his teeth as he spoke. "Urbain!" she cried. "_What_ are you saying, monsieur?" growled the General, with his hand on his sword.