“The Count of Charny; and inquire if my lady will do me the honor to receive me?”
“Into this room, child,” said Andrea, “he must not see you—he must not know that you exist!”
She pushed the frightened youth into the adjoining apartment.
“Remain here till he shall have gone, when I will relate to—No, nothing of that can be said? I will so love you that you will not doubt that I am your own loving mother.”
His only reply was a moan.
At this moment the door opened and the servant, cap in hand, acquitted himself of the errand entrusted to him.
“Show in the Count of Charny,” she said in the firmest voice she could find.
As the old man retired, the nobleman appeared on the sill.
CHAPTER XIII.
HUSBAND AND WIFE.
COUNT CHARNY was clad in black, mourning for his brother slain two days before.