"The words of M. Bastien which you have reported to me prove nothing, Marguerite; you are, I think, needlessly alarmed."
"God grant it, madame."
"Go and see, I pray you, if M. Bastien and M. Bridou are still at the table. If they have left it, you can go to bed, I have no further need of you."
Marguerite returned in a few moments, and said to her mistress:
"I have just given a light to monsieur and to M. Bridou, madame, they bade each other good night; but, wait, madame," said Marguerite, interrupting herself, "do you hear? that is M. Bridou now going up-stairs."
In fact the steps of Bastien's boon companion resounded over the wooden staircase which conducted to the chamber formerly occupied by David.
"Has M. Bastien entered his chamber?" asked Marie of the servant.
"I can see from the outside if there is a light in monsieur's chamber," replied Marguerite.
The servant went out again, returned in a few moments, and said to her mistress, as she shivered with the cold:
"Monsieur is in his chamber, madame; I can see the light through the blinds. My God, how bitter the cold is; it is snowing in great heaps, and I forgot to make your fire, madame. Perhaps you wish to sit up."