"There is no need to ring," he said. "What have you there?"
The girl stepped into the hall and looked at Ann.
"It is Mademoiselle's dress for the Ball to-morrow night. Mademoiselle was to call for a final fitting but did not come. But Madame Grolin thinks that it will be all right." She laid the box upon a chest at the side of the hall and went out again.
"I had forgotten all about it," said Ann. "It was ordered just before Madame died and tried on once."
Hanaud nodded.
"For Madame Le Vay's masked ball, no doubt," he said. "I noticed the invitation card on the chimney-piece of Mademoiselle's sitting-room. And in what character did Mademoiselle propose to go?"
Ann startled them all. She flung up her head, whilst the blood rushed into her cheeks and her eyes shone.
"Not Madame de Brinvilliers, Monsieur, at all events," she cried.
Even Hanaud was brought up with a start.
"I did not suggest it," he replied coldly. "But let me see!" and in a moment whilst his face was flushed with anger his hands were busily untying the tapes of the box.