Fanferlot instantly slipped into the closet, and Mme. Alexandre remained in the office to received Gypsy.
“Here you are at last, my dear child!” she cried. “Oh, I have been so uneasy, so afraid lest some misfortune had happened!”
“Thanks for your kind interest, madame. Has a bundle been sent here for me?”
Poor Gypsy’s appearance had strikingly changed; she was very sad, but not as before dejected. To her melancholy of the last few days, had succeeded a firm and generous resolution, which was betrayed in her sparkling eyes and resolute step.
“Yes, two bundles came for you; here they are. I suppose you saw M. Bertomy’s friend?”
“Yes, madame; and his advice has so changed my plans, that, I regret to say, I must leave you to-morrow.”
“Going away to-morrow! then something must have happened.”
“Oh! nothing that would interest you, madame.”
After lighting her candle at the gas-burner, Mme. Gypsy said “Good-night” in a very significant way, and left the room.
“And what do you think of that, Mme. Alexandre?” questioned Fanferlot, emerging from his hiding-place.