"He knows you are here," whispered Sophie to Madeleine, with a sigh.
"Make him come up," replied the marquise, softly.
"Tell M. Dutertre that I am at home," said Sophie to the servant, who went out.
Madeleine, addressing her friend in a voice full of emotion, as she extended her arms to her, said:
"And now, good-bye, Sophie; tell your husband that he is delivered from M. Pascal."
"You are going already?" said Sophie, with sadness; "when shall I see you again?"
"I do not know,—some day, perhaps. But I hear your husband's step. I leave you."
Then she added, smiling:
"Only I would like to hide behind that curtain and enjoy your triumph."
And making a sign to Antonine to accompany her, she retired behind the curtain which separated the room from the next chamber, just as M. Dutertre entered. For some moments the eyes of Charles wandered as if he were looking for some one he expected to meet; he had not discovered the change in Sophie, who said to him: