"Go? But it's out of the question!" protested the girl.
"You must go, you must!" cried Lupin, with real violence, stamping his foot on the floor.
He at once mastered himself, spoke a few words of apology and then, for three or four minutes, preserved a complete silence, which the doctor and Jeanne were careful not to disturb.
At last, he said to the young girl:
"You shall go to-morrow morning, mademoiselle. It will be only for one or two weeks. I will take you to your friend at Versailles, the one to whom you were writing. I entreat you to get everything ready to-night ... without concealment of any kind. Let the servants know that you are going.... On the other hand, the doctor will be good enough to tell M. Darcieux and give him to understand, with every possible precaution, that this journey is essential to your safety. Besides, he can join you as soon as his strength permits.... That's settled, is it not?"
"Yes," she said, absolutely dominated by Lupin's gentle and imperious voice.
"In that case," he said, "be as quick as you can ... and do not stir from your room...."
"But," said the girl, with a shudder, "am I to stay alone to-night?"
"Fear nothing. Should there be the least danger, the doctor and I will come back. Do not open your door unless you hear three very light taps."
Jeanne at once rang for her maid. The doctor went to M. Darcieux, while Lupin had some supper brought to him in the little dining-room.