“‘I know not why it was, but from the first moment I came near her after Count Felix’s death, she seemed to take a greater partiality for the count’s favourite hound than before.’
“‘The one that scented out the dead body?’ I asked.
“‘Yes,’ he said, ‘and as often as I came in her presence as often would the beast try to fly at my throat.
“‘Evelina used simply to laugh at this, but she seemed to smile upon me more than ever, and after several months she consented to marry me privately.’
“‘Privately, and why so?’ I asked.
“‘I know not,’ said Baptiste; ‘but she promised to become my wife on one condition.’
“‘And what was that?’ I asked.
“‘Why, that I should never divulge the secret, or ask to live with her, or be for even half an hour alone with her until the end of twelve months.’
“‘Singular request?’ said I.
“‘Yes; but I agreed to it, and have kept my word, for she is immensely rich. But instead of this making me love her more, the conditions she imposed upon me turned my blood, and now I hate her.’