Whenever the count said “quick,” on entering his carriage, the pedestrians had to get out of the way. But the coachman was a skillful driver, and arrived without accident.
Aided by the concierge’s directions, the count and the young girl went towards Madame Gerdy’s apartments. The count mounted slowly, holding tightly to the balustrade, stopping at every landing to recover his breath. He was, then, about to see her again! His emotion pressed his heart like a vice.
“M. Noel Gerdy?” he asked of the servant.
The advocate had just that moment gone out. She did not know where he had gone; but he had said he should not be out more than half an hour.
“We will wait for him, then,” said the count.
He advanced; and the servant drew back to let them pass. Noel had strictly forbidden her to admit any visitors; but the Count de Commarin was one of those whose appearance makes servants forget all their orders.
Three persons were in the room into which the servant introduced the count and Mademoiselle d’Arlange.
They were the parish priest, the doctor, and a tall man, an officer of the Legion of Honour, whose figure and bearing indicated the old soldier.
They were conversing near the fireplace, and the arrival of strangers appeared to astonish them exceedingly.
In bowing, in response to M. de Commarin’s and Claire’s salutations, they seemed to inquire their business: but this hesitation was brief, for the soldier almost immediately offered Mademoiselle d’Arlange a chair.