The Madame entered her carriage in a tremor of excitement and haste, which, however, calmed down somewhat during the drive.
Arrived at their destination, Mary assisted her to alight and ascend the three or four steps leading into the hall of the building.
“Stop! it is this first door,” said the Madame, panting and wheezing, slight as the exertion had been. “Wait a minute till I recover breath. I want a private interview, and you will stay outside. Rap now.”
Mary obeyed, and hearing a loud “Come in!” opened the door and stepped back to let her mistress enter.
“Ah! Madame Le Conte! how d’ye do?” said the lawyer, rising and offering a hand to his rich client; then, with a sudden recollection, dropping it at his side and contenting himself with pushing forward an arm-chair.
“Sit down, Madame,” he said. “You are quite a stranger here, but I have been out of town, and may have missed a call from you.”
“No,” she panted, “I’ve—not—been here since I saw you last.”
“Ah? Well, my dear Madame, what can I do for you to-day?”
“You have heard nothing—learned nothing yet?”