Marguerite approached the door, then, thinking she heard her master coming upstairs,—
"Here he is—he'll see you," said she to Julia.
"You must hide me."
"Wait, I had forgotten it—quick—quick—in this closet."
Marguerite ran to her alcove, passed behind the bed, opened the little door hidden by the tapestry, and Julia, as quick as lightning, entered the closet. The old servant shut the door on her, took her lamp and hastened to go downstairs. Her master was in the lower room.
"You were very slow in coming down," said the barber, looking at Marguerite.
"Monsieur, at my age one cannot move quickly."
"Has anybody been here during my absence?"
"No, monsieur, nobody."
"Urbain, perhaps?"