"I have been upstairs with old Gudule, who, you know, is afraid of the lightning. As I was very tired, I fell asleep in the armchair in her room. When I awoke I looked out of the window, and as the storm had ceased I came downstairs with the intention of going to bed; but I first desired to assure myself that you had bolted the door, and it was at that moment that this gentleman placed his hand on my shoulder and informed me that I was under arrest. And, I assure you, he has given me a good fright—"
"You lie!" coarsely interrupted M. Tricamp. "You were just going out when my man arrested you; and I will add that you did not go to bed, so as to avoid the trouble of dressing when the moment arrived for you to make your escape."
Christina looked a him in astonishment. "Escape? What escape?" she asked.
"Ah!" muttered M. Tricamp. "What nerve, what deceit!"
"Come here," said Balthazar, who knew not what to believe, "and I will tell you what it all means!"
He took the young girl by the arm and dragged her into the adjoining room.
"My God!" exclaimed the young woman, as she crossed the threshold and perceived the scene of devastation for the first time; "who could have done this?"
Her surprise seemed to be so sincere that Balthazar hesitated for a moment, but M. Tricamp was not so easily affected; he dragged Christina by the arm up to the secrétaire and exclaimed:
"You did it!"
"I!" cried out Christina, who did not as yet realize what it all meant.