I stepped forward and found myself in the presence of Odile. Sperver withdrew, closing the door behind him.
A strange impression was produced upon my mind by the appearance of the young Countess, robed in a long gown of black velvet, and standing pale and firm with her hand resting on the back of an armchair, her eyes glistening with a feverish light.
"Monsieur," she said, pointing to a chair; "pray be seated. I wish to speak with you upon a very grave subject."
I obeyed silently. She seated herself in turn, and seemed trying to arrange her thoughts.
"Chance, monsieur," she continued after a moment, fixing her large blue eyes upon me—"chance or Providence, I know not which to call it—has made you the witness of a mystery in which is involved the honor of our family."
She knew everything, then. I was astonished.
"Let us call it Providence!" I cried. "Who knows but that through me the spell that has so long overhung the Castle is destined to be broken?"
"All this is frightful!" she continued; then in a despairing tone, "My father is not guilty of this crime!"
I sprang up, and stretching out my hands deprecatingly, I exclaimed:
"I know it, mademoiselle; I know of the Count's past life, and it is one of the purest that it would be possible to conceive!"