The young man, affecting the somewhat trembling step of an old man, and looking carefully around him, took the side of the street opposite to that of the convent. Then, having arrived before the windows, he twice repeated the signal which he had agreed upon with the marchioness.
"Suppose," said he to himself, "they have placed someone in concealment, and my signal has been perceived!"
Then, after a pause, no doubt employed in still further bracing up his resolution, he crossed the street and approached the gate.
At the moment when he was preparing to knock, the gate opened.
He entered, and the gate shut immediately after him.
"Ouf!" said he, "Here am I in the mousetrap; what is going to happen now?"
A nun—not the same as had the first time opened to him—stood before him. Without uttering a word, she made him a sign to follow her, and proceeded.
They thus traversed silently and rapidly the long corridors and the cloisters, and at last reached the chamber of the superior. The door was open.
The conductress of the young man stood on one side to give him entrance, and when he had gone in, shut the door behind him, remaining herself outside.
One person only was in the chamber; this person was the superior.