It was twenty minutes since the last carriage had driven away. Julie was still waiting in the little hall, pacing its squares of black-and-white marble, slowly, backward and forward.
There was a low knock on the door.
She opened it. Warkworth appeared on the threshold, and the high moon behind him threw a bright ray into the dim hall, where all but one faint light had been extinguished. She pointed to the drawing-room.
"I will come directly. Let me just go and ask Léonie to sit up."
Warkworth went into the drawing-room. Julie opened the dining-room door. Madame Bornier was engaged in washing and putting away the china and glass which had been used for Julie's modest refreshments.
"Léonie, you won't go to bed? Major Warkworth is here."
Madame Bornier did not raise her head.
"How long will he be?"
"Perhaps half an hour."
"It is already past midnight."