"I would tell you if I knew; but I know no more about it than you do, and, try as hard as I would, I could not induce her to tell."
"Good-night, then."
"Wait till I cover the fire, monsieur."
And, as he covered the fire, Adamas continued, raising his voice:
"That woman is altogether mysterious, monsieur le marquis, and I would like to have you see her!"
"Now?" said the marquis, rousing himself with a start. "You are joking; it is time to go to sleep."
"To be sure; but to-morrow morning?"
"Is she in the house, pray?"
"Why, yes, monsieur! She asked for a corner to pass the night under shelter. I gave her some supper, for I know monsieur does not wish us to refuse bread to the unfortunate, and I sent her to lie on the straw after talking with her."
"And you did wrong, monsieur; a woman is always a woman. And—I hope that there are no other beggars there? I do not want any indecency on my premises."