The old woman opened the door at once, and on its threshold there appeared the elegant figure of a young girl dressed in a travelling costume, and wrapped in a black satin mantle lined with rose-colored taffeta. She took one step into the room, then stopped at sight of the candles and the four guests, who were gazing at her with an admiration to which they gave expression in a low murmur, and said: "Citizens, which one of you is the citizen Commissioner of the Republic?" "I am, citizeness," replied Schneider, without rising. "Citizen," she said, "I have a favor to ask of you on which my life depends." And her glance travelled anxiously from one guest to another. "You need not be alarmed by the presence of my friends," said Schneider; "they are true friends, and lovers of beauty. This is my friend Edelmann, who is a musician." The young girl moved her head slightly as if to say, "I know his music." "This is my friend Young, who is a poet," continued Schneider. The same movement of the head again meaning, "I know his verses." "And, lastly, here is my friend Monnet, who is neither a musician nor a poet, but who has eyes and a heart, and who is disposed, as I can see at a glance, to plead your cause for you. As for this young friend, as you see, he is only a student; but he knows enough to conjugate the verb, to love, in three languages. You may therefore explain yourself before them, unless what you have to say is sufficiently confidential to require a private interview." And he rose as he spoke, pointing to a half open door, leading into an empty salon. But the young girl replied, quickly: "No, no, monsieur--" Schneider frowned. "Your pardon, citizen. No, citizen, what I have to say fears neither light nor publicity." Schneider sat down, motioning to the young girl to take a chair. But she shook her head. "It is more fitting that suppliants should stand," she said. "Then," said Schneider, "let us proceed regularly. I have told you who we are; will you tell us who you are?" "My name is Clotilde Brumpt." "_De_ Brumpt, you mean." "It would be unjust to reproach me with a crime that antedated my birth by some three or four hundred years, and with which I had nothing to do." "You need tell me nothing more; I know your story, and I also know what you have come for."