"Learn sad news!" said Rudolph to him; "the countess has been wounded! her life is in great danger."
"Oh! my lord; although she is very culpable, yet I cannot but pity her."
"Yes; such an end would be frightful! And the Goualeuse?"
"Set at liberty yesterday, my lord, supposed by the intervention of
Madame d'Harville."
"But it is impossible! Madame d'Harville begs me, on the contrary, to make the necessary arrangements to get her out of prison."
"Doubtless; and yet, an aged woman, of respectable, appearance, came to Saint Lazare, bringing the order to set Fleur-de-Marie at liberty. Both have left the prison."
"This is what Rigolette told me; but this aged woman, who is she? where have they gone to? what is this new mystery? The countess alone can enlighten us; and she is in a state to give us no information. May she not carry this secret with her to the grave?"
"But her brother, Thomas Seyton, could certainly throw some light upon the affair. He has always been her adviser."
"His sister is dying; some new plot is on foot; he will not speak; but," said Rudolph, reflecting, "we must find out the name of the person who applied for her release; thus we can learn something."
"Yes, my lord."