She thought of her friend and of the convent terrace. He had sworn never to abandon her and that at the very last minute even he would be able to save her. Obstacles? Were there any obstacles for him? Was he not master of men and of events?
The bell rang again.
The old servant came out of the dining-room. [[198]]
“Open,” said Bregeac to him, in a low voice.
They heard whisperings and the shuffling of feet on the other side of the door. Some one knocked.
“Open the door,” said Bregeac again.
On the doorstep stood Marescal with three men. She leaned against the bannisters of the staircase and groaned in such a low voice that Bregeac alone heard it:
“Heavens! It is not him!”
Confronted with his subordinate, Bregeac drew himself to his full height.