"When he was gone my master said:
"'You are at liberty to repeat to your lady what has passed between me and M. Gabriel.'
"I did not repeat it: there was such a dreadful significance in the black walls, and in my master's words, that that was the picture M. Gabriel had painted on his heart and life, that I could not be so cruel to my lady as to tell her what had passed between the two gentlemen who held her fate in their hands.
"But she herself, on the following day, questioned me:
"'You were present yesterday,' she said, 'at an interview between M. Gabriel and my husband?'
"'Yes, my lady,' I answered.
"'Did they meet in anger, Denise?'
"'M. Gabriel was angry, my lady,' I said.
"'And my husband?' she asked.
"'Appeared to be suffering, my lady.'