Mademoiselle went to her bedroom and locked the door, as if to shut all the world out from her. Then she cast herself down and sobbed as if her heart would break. "Why did he not come to me?" she moaned. "Why did he not let me know?--I cannot live without him." At Rouen, Raoul engaged a room at the Hotel de Bordeaux. Then he started off to visit M. Gerome Perrin, but turned aside and went into the country instead. The peasants saluted him as they passed, but he did not reply. At times he talked half aloud and laughed bitterly. Once he paused abruptly. It occurred to him that perhaps, after all, his own vanity was misleading him. No doubt Mademoiselle had already forgotten what had happened, and was wondering what had become of him. "I must write to her," he said. And the idea that he was acting unaccountably strengthened itself in his mind, and gradually he regained the mastery of himself. Was it not stupid, he thought, to suspect that Mademoiselle had discerned his secret. He had guarded it so carefully; he had never given the least sign--until her eyes had robbed him of his self-control. But to think that she should for a moment dream that a hunchback would dare.--The idea was absurd. He began to see things clearly again. Half-an-hour later he turned and walked back to Rouen, paid his bill at the Hotel de Bordeaux, drove to the station, and took the train to Rocheville. He had resolved to explain to Mademoiselle that he had been called unexpectedly away. M. Lorman frowned when Jacques came to tell him that Monsieur Raoul had been able to return. * * * * * It was dark when Mademoiselle, pale and trembling, rose from her bed, her face wet with tears. She lighted a candle and began to write. Note after note she altered and destroyed. When at length she had written one to her liking, she sealed it up. Then she put on her cloak and went down towards the Rue Louise. IX. Outside, the rain pattered against the window; within Jacques and his wife sat at supper. Someone tapped at the door and Madame went to open it: "Ciel!" she cried. "But you are wet!" Mademoiselle Elise spoke with quickened breath as if she had been hurrying. "I only come to see Jacques--Jacques do you know where Monsieur Raoul is staying at Rouen? I have a message for him." Jacques looked at his wife. It was she who answered: "Monsieur returned unexpectedly this afternoon, Mademoiselle; he is upstairs now." The muscles of Mademoiselle's face twitched as with a sudden pain. A look of terror came into her bright eyes. She rested her hand on the chair beside her, as if she were faint. "Take off your cloak," said Madame, "and Jacques will tell Monsieur that you are here." Jacques rose, but Mademoiselle stopped him. "No," she said; "I will go to him, if I may. I have a message for him." Mademoiselle Elise went up. Raoul opened the door.