“His wife, madam, and a servant.”
“Well, go in and tell the Countess Claudieuse,—but so that her husband does not hear you,—that Miss Chandore desires to see her a few moments.”
The watchman made no objection, and went in. But, when he came back, he said to the young girl,—
“Madam, the countess sends word that she cannot leave her husband, who is very low.”
She stopped him by an impatient gesture, and said,—
“Never mind! Go back and tell the countess, that, if she does not come out, I shall go in this moment; that, if it must be, I shall force my way in; that I shall call for help; that nothing will keep me. I must absolutely see her.”
“But, madam”—
“Go! Don’t you see that it is a question of life and death?”
There was such authority in her voice, that the watchman no longer hesitated. He went in once more, and reappeared a moment after.
“Go in,” he said to the young girl.