"Pardon me, monseigneur," said Helene, "perhaps I am mistaken. I am seeking a friend who left me below, who was to come back to me; but, as he delayed so long, I came to seek for him. I was brought here, but perhaps the usher made a mistake." "No, mademoiselle," said the duke, "M. de Chanlay has just left me, and I expected you." As the regent spoke, the young girl became abstracted, and seemed as though taxing her memory; then, in answer to her own thoughts, she cried-- "Mon Dieu! how strange." "What is the matter?" asked the regent. "Yes: that it is." "Explain!" said the duke, "I do not understand you." "Ah! monsieur," said Helene, trembling, "it is strange how your voice resembles that of another person." "Of your acquaintance?" asked the regent. "Of a person in whose presence I have been but once, but whose accents live in my heart." "And who was this person?" asked the regent, while Dubois shrugged his shoulders at this half recognition. "He called himself my father," replied Helene. "I congratulate myself upon this chance, mademoiselle," said the regent, "for this similarity in my voice to that of a person who is dear to you may give greater weight to my words. You know that Monsieur de Chanlay has chosen me for your protector?" "He told me he would bring me to some one who would protect me from the danger--" "What danger?" asked the regent. Helene looked round her, and her glance rested uneasily on Dubois, and there was no mistaking her expression. Dubois's face inspired her with as much distrust as the regent's did with confidence. "Monseigneur," said Dubois (who did not fail to notice this expression), in an undertone to the regent, "I think I am de trop here, and had better retire; you do not want me, do you?" "No; but I shall presently; do not go away."----"I will be at your orders." This conversation was too low for Helene to hear; besides, she had stepped back, and continued watching the doors, in the hope of seeing Gaston return. It was a consolation to Dubois to know she would be disappointed. When Dubois was gone, they breathed more freely. "Seat yourself, mademoiselle," said the duke; "I have much to tell you." "Monsieur, one thing before all. Is the Chevalier Gaston de Chanlay in any danger?" "We will speak of him directly, but first of yourself; he brought you to me as a protector. Now, tell me against whom I am to protect you?" "All that has happened to me for some days is so strange, that I do not know whom to fear or whom to trust. If Gaston were there--" "Yes, I understand; if he authorized you to tell me, you would keep nothing back. But if I can prove to you that I know nearly all concerning you?" "You, monsieur!"