He remembered that Odette must be awaiting him in the drawing-room, as they were to take a walk together at two. This drawing-room, very large and elegant, occupied the front of the first floor, with four large windows opening on the avenue. The curtains were carefully closed to shut out the hot June sunshine, so that it was quite dark in the room. At each end was a large door, hung with heavy tapestry. One of these doors opened into Elaine's apartment, the other into the hall. When Claude entered, he found Odette already waiting for him. "I thought you were never coming. Had you forgotten our proposed walk?" He put his arms around her, folding her close to his throbbing heart, and pressing his lips to hers in a long passionate caress. She was astonished. "Why, what is the matter? You are trembling!" "Grenoble saw us last night." "Grenoble?" "I have no time to tell you about it--somebody might interrupt us here." "Do you love me?" she asked. At this moment the heavy portiére was raised at the other end of the room, and Elaine appeared. Claude replied: "Do I love you? More than life or honor." Elaine came from the sunshine in her room and could not see any thing in the dim light of the drawing-room, but she recognized the voice and heard his cruel words. She uttered a low cry and disappeared. The two lovers started back in horror. Who had overheard them? Odette spoke first: "No one could have seen us," she said; "it is so dark in here. I will go to my room." They crossed the hall without speaking, both a prey to the utmost anxiety and distress. Who had surprised their guilty secret? Was it Elaine? Could it have been Paul? As they arrived at the foot of the stair-case they met Paul coming to find them. "Good morning," he said, smiling. "It is such a lovely day, I should like to join you in your walk. When you are ready you can come for me to my mother's room. I am afraid she is not very well." CHAPTER XII.