Maurice waited for some time, walking up and down the room with long impatient strides, and occasionally leaning out of the window, which, half opened, admitted puffs of air charged heavily with rain.
But soon he believed that he heard a step upon the staircase; he listened, it was not that of Geneviève; he ran to the landing, looked over the palisade, and recognized the official, who leisurely mounted the stairs after the manner of domestics.
"Scævola!" cried he.
The official raised his head.
"Ah! is it you, Citizen?"
"Yes. Where is the lady?"
"The lady?" demanded Scævola, with much surprise, as he continued mounting the stairs.
"Certainly! Have you seen her below?"
"No."