Surprise, dismay and fear had frozen my blood. I thought that I was going mad; I put my handkerchief in my mouth to stifle my shrieks, and then, succumbing to fatigue, fell back upon the bed in the stupor of utter prostration.
In the middle of the night I heard sounds in the room. I opened my eyes and saw, without understanding what I saw, Leoni pacing the floor in intense agitation, and the marquis seated at a table, emptying a bottle of brandy. I did not stir. I had no thought of trying to find out what they were doing there; but little by little their words, falling upon my ears, found their way to my understanding and assumed a meaning.
"I tell you that I saw him, and I am sure of it," said the marquis. "He is here."
"The infernal hound!" replied Leoni, stamping on the floor. "Would to God the earth would open and rid me of him."
"Well said!" rejoined the marquis. "That's my idea." "He comes to my very room to torment that unfortunate woman!"
"Are you sure, Leoni, that she is not glad to have him come?"
"Hold your tongue, viper! and don't try to make me suspect that poor creature. She has nothing left in the world but my esteem."
"And Monsieur Henryet's love," added the marquis. Leoni clenched his fists. "We will rid her of that love!" he cried, "and cure the Fleming of it."
"The devil! Leoni, don't do anything foolish!"
"And you, Lorenzo, don't you do anything vile!"