He always came painfully embarrassed, as if he had something very important to tell her; then his brow clouded over; and he went away suddenly, without having said any thing.
Henrietta, tortured by terrible doubts, felt unable to endure this atrocious uncertainty any longer. She determined to force an explanation when, on the fourth day, M. de Brevan came in, evidently under the influence of some terrible determination. As soon as he had entered, he locked the door, and said in a hoarse voice,—
“I must speak to you, madam, yes, I must!”
He was deadly pale; his white lips trembled; and his eyes shone with a fearful light, like those of a man who might have sought courage in strong drink.
“I am ready to listen,” replied the poor girl, all trembling.
He hesitated again for a moment; then overcoming his reluctance, apparently by a great effort, he said,—
“Well, I wish to ask you if you have ever suspected what my real reasons were for assisting you to escape?”
“I think, sir, you have acted from kind pity for me, and also from friendship for M. Daniel Champcey.”
“No! You are entirely mistaken.”
She drew back instinctively, uttering only a low, “Ah!”