Miretta, for it was she who had stopped in front of Léodgard, replied in a faltering voice, and as if under the influence of a secret terror:
"You are—Comte—Léodgard de Marvejols?"
"Yes, I am he; and you are sent by the lady who wrote me to be on this square?"
"Yes, seigneur, yes—I come from her."
"But what is the matter with you, girl? Your voice trembles—you seem to be intensely agitated. Can any misfortune have happened to your mistress? have you a sad message to transmit to me? In heaven's name, speak! This perturbation of yours is not natural."
"Mon Dieu! seigneur, I do not know myself why I tremble so, why my body is suddenly bathed in cold perspiration. I have no misfortune to announce—on the contrary, my message cannot fail to be agreeable to you. But when I saw you, when I stopped in front of you, I felt a strange oppression; I do not know what took place within me; it seemed to me that I was dying."
"Control yourself; you must have walked too fast—and an attack of dizziness—— But you seem to be better already?"
"Yes, seigneur, yes; it is passing away."
"Then you will perhaps deliver your message, and tell me——"
"That if you wish to see my mistress, she can accord you a few moments this evening."