[Illustration 05: "Madam, I insist upon knowing wherefore that light is burning in the opposite house."] "Madam, I insist upon knowing wherefore that light is burning in the opposite house?" then suddenly interrupting himself, to give way to a suggestion equally ridiculous with his jealousy, he abruptly drew back the curtain, opened the window, and went out upon the balcony, where he took up his station with an air of proud defiance. At this unexpected apparition, the curtains of the opposite windows were hastily closed, the shadow disappeared, and almost immediately the light was extinguished. Madame de Brévannes, wholly ignorant of her husband's fury, and still less able to comprehend his fancy for throwing open the windows in the month of January, was advancing towards the balcony, when M. de Brévannes turned sharply round, and, jerking the window-curtains back to their places, exclaimed,-- "So, madam, it is thus, then, you occupy your leisure hours while awaiting my return?" "Indeed, Charles, I understand not what you mean." "You do not? Ah, false woman, tell me why was the window of the first floor in the house facing this lighted up just now?" "Just now?--the window?--in the opposite house?" repeated Bertha, with increasing surprise. "Oh, you feign astonishment admirably, madam; but it will not do. Just this minute, some person opposite was attentively watching your window, but disappeared the instant I presented myself." "Very probably, Charles. I know nothing about it: but why do you tell me of so trifling a circumstance?" "Why?" "Yes, I ask you again, why?" "Because, doubtless there is a mutually good understanding between yourself and this person opposite, and that some disgraceful intrigue is carried on by means of signal-lights in your respective windows. I cease now to feel the smallest astonishment at your having kept watch to-night, instead of retiring to rest." To an accusation so abrupt, so brutal, and so utterly incomprehensible, Bertha found it impossible to frame any reply: but, clasping her hands, she raised her eyes to heaven. "All those tragedy airs are no answers to my question," cried M. de Brévannes, more and more excited; "and I ask you again, madam, why that light burned in the window directly facing yours; and wherefore that man gazed so attentively over here?" "How is it possible I can know?" cried Bertha. "Ah, madam, this is not replying, but meanly equivocating." "But what other answer can I give?" "Have a care! have a care!" exclaimed M. de Brévannes, almost foaming with rage, "do not imagine me fool enough to be duped by your hypocrisy. I have seen what I state with my own eyes. I am not blind, whatever you may think. I insist upon knowing who lives opposite to us?" "For Heaven's sake, Charles, how should I know? We have only been here since yesterday morning----" Interrupting his wife with increased fury, and violently striking his forehead, M. de Brévannes exclaimed,--