He started slightly. The church clock struck nine, its notes sounding silvery clear through the tranquil night ... in the distance some convent clock chimed an evening prayer, then a deeper silence fell on the darkness of night....
Suddenly, the front door of the house, which the stranger had watched with scrutinising intentness, was thrown wide open, showing a large, luminous square in the darkness. Two women were speaking.
"Are you going out, my darling?" asked the elder.
"Don't be anxious, madame," replied a girlish voice. "There is no need to wait for me. I am only going to the post...."
"Why not give Jules your letter?"
"No, I prefer to post it myself."
"You would not like someone to go with you? There are not many people about at this hour...."
The same fresh, young voice replied:
"Oh, I am not frightened ... besides it's only rue Raffet which is deserted; as soon as I reach rue Mozart there will be nothing more to fear!"
The luminous square, drawn on the obscurity of the garden, disappeared.