My aunt took me by the hand and prepared to-lead me up to bed, fearing naturally that my ruffled aspect and swollen visage would arouse suspicion. At this moment I heard the clatter of hoofs in the court, mingled with the sound of voices. From the window, I saw M. de Treuil and my father alighting from horseback. Mlle. de Bergerac, apparently, made the same observation; she dropped my hand and sank down in a chair. She was not left long in suspense. Perceiving a light in the saloon, the two gentlemen immediately made their way to this apartment. They came in together, arm in arm, the Vicomte dressed in mourning. Just within the threshold they stopped; my father disengaged his arm, took his companion by the hand and led him to Mlle. de Bergerac. She rose to her feet as you may imagine a sitting statue to rise. The Vicomte bent his knee. "At last, mademoiselle," said he,--"sooner than I had hoped,--my long probation is finished." The young girl spoke, but no one would have recognized her voice. "I fear, M. le Vicomte," she said, "that it has only begun." The Vicomte broke into a harsh, nervous laugh. "Fol de rol, mademoiselle," cried my father, "your pleasantry is in very bad taste." But the Vicomte had recovered himself. "Mademoiselle is quite right," he declared; "she means that I must now begin to deserve my happiness." This little speech showed a very brave fancy. It was in flagrant discord with the expression of the poor girl's figure, as she stood twisting her hands together and rolling her eyes,--an image of sombre desperation. My father felt there was a storm in the air. "M. le Vicomte is in mourning for M. de Sorbières," he said. "M. le Vicomte is his sole legatee. He comes to exact the fulfilment of your promise." "I made no promise," said Mlle. de Bergerac. "Excuse me, mademoiselle; you gave your word that you'd wait for me." "Gracious heaven!" cried the young girl; "haven't I waited for you!" "_Ma toute belle_" said the Baron, trying to keep his angry voice within the compass of an undertone, and reducing it in the effort to a very ugly whisper, "if I had supposed you were going to make us a scene, _nom de Dieu!_ I would have taken my precautions beforehand! You know what you're to expect. Vicomte, keep her to her word. I'll give you half an hour. Come, Chevalier." And he took me by the hand.