"Ah! you are there!" she said, and leaned her head against the door.
"Open then, dearest—don't be afraid. Lift the latch, and pull it towards you. There is only a keyhole on this side—but it can't be locked, for there is no key."
"I cannot," she said. "It is barred with a great iron bar. I cannot move it. Oh, how unhappy I am! Why should I be so unfortunate, so miserable?" she cried, and beat upon the door again.
"Ah, mon Dieu! My father's precautions! He went round the château six weeks ago, to examine all the doors. I was not with him, or I should have known it. Hélène! Will you do as I ask you?"
"Ah! there is nothing to be done. I had to speak to you—I cannot, with this dreadful door between us, and—Ah, heavens, something has put out my candle. I am in the dark! What shall I do!"
"Courage, courage!" he said, speaking close to the keyhole. "Go back up the stairs; go to the chapel window!"
"But I cannot speak to you from the window!"
"Yes, you can—you shall."
"But I am in the dark!"
"You cannot miss your way. Go—go quickly—we have not much time—it is late already."