"Go to your lord," said Olympia to the valets who were waiting. "The bandage has become loosened, and he will bleed to death if you are not prompt."
Crossing the antechamber, she opened the door that led to a corridor where her own valet was awaiting her return.
"Can you tell me where I may find Count Barbesieur?" asked she.
"Yes, my lady. He is in his own room, to which I was directed by his valet."
"Show me the way," said the countess, following the man to the farther end of the long corridor.
"Here, my lady," said he, pausing, "is his anteroom."
"Go in and announce me."
The valet opened the door and crossed the antechamber. It was empty; for Barbesieur's valet was, with the other servants, in the vestibule, discussing the mysteries of the evening. Seeing that no one was there to announce the countess, the lackey knocked until he heard a voice from within. He then threw the door wide open, and cried out—
"The Countess de Soissons!"
Barbesieur, who was seated before a table, deep in the examination of the title-deeds of the Bonaletta estates, started up in amazement at the unceremonious interruption. As he turned around to chastise the insolence of the servant, he encountered the stately figure of the Countess de Soissons,