"We walked to and fro before the house. 'I saw your husband to-day,'
I told her."
"'He said so,' she answered. 'It was pleasant for him to talk with an old comrade.'"
"One window in the house was lighted, with a curtain drawn across it. As we paused, I saw the shadow of a man on the curtain—a man who lurched and pressed both hands to his head. I could not tell whether Madame Bertin saw it also; she continued to walk, looking straight before her; her face was calm."
"'Doubtless he has his occupations here?' I ventured presently.
'There are matters in which he interests himself—non?'"
"'That is so,' she replied. 'And this evening he tells me he has a letter to write, concerning some matters of importance. I have promised him that for an hour he shall not be interrupted. What wonderful color there is yonder?'"
"The shadow of a great cloud, blue-black like a moonlit sea, was racing past us; it seemed to break like surf on a line of sandhills. But while I watched it awe was creeping upon me. She was erect and grave, with lips a little parted, staring before her; the heavy folds of the bernouse were like the marble robe of a statue. I glanced behind me at the lighted window, and the shadow of an arm moved upon it, an arm that gesticulated and conveyed to me a sense of agony, of appeal. I remembered the revolver; I felt a weakness overcome me."
"'Madame!' I cried. 'I fear—I doubt that it is safe to leave him for an hour to-night.'"
"She turned to me with a faint movement of surprise. The moon showed her to me clearly. Before the deliberate strength of her eyes, my gaze faltered."
"'But I assure you,' she answered; 'nothing can be safer.'"
"I made one more effort. 'But if I might see him for an instant,' I pleaded."