How I blessed that lock! So, I doubt not, did Mademoiselle. She went slowly to the antechamber, fumbled at the lock a few moments, and opened the door. I heard two people enter.
“Wait, Messieurs!” cried Mademoiselle as she caught sight of the second visitor. “I was preparing to retire.” With marvelous quickness she had taken off her bodice after I had entered the bedroom, and was bare-necked and armed before her grandfather. She hastily slipped on a dressing-robe and once more turned to him.
“’Tis only Éspiau,” said the Duke quickly.
“I am very glad indeed,” said Mademoiselle, with a gay little laugh, “for you caught me quite unaware.”
“Was I mistaken or was there a tremble in her voice? Her situation was grave. Had the Duke discovered me, he would have killed me out of hand, unless I inflicted a like penalty upon him, which, under the circumstances, never entered my mind.
“I thought,” continued the old Duke as he entered the boudoir, “that I heard voices.” He looked around suspiciously.
“You did, Monsieur,” answered the Countess.
“Great heavens!” thought I, “are you about to betray me?”
“Whose?” went on the old man again.
“Mine; I was singing.”