As we went through the court I felt as though I had been tied to a string, suspended in the air, and spun. This was undoubtedly due to the heat. And after the astonishing conversation from which we had come, my admiration for the lady beside me was magnified to a veritable awe. We reached the archway. Madame la Vicomtesse held me lightly by the edge of my coat, and I stood looking down at her.
“Wait a minute, Mr. Ritchie,” she said, glancing at the few figures hurrying across the Place d'Armes; “those are only Americans, and they are too busy to see us standing here. What do you propose to do now?”
“We must get word to Nick as we promised, that he may know what to expect,” I replied. “Suppose we go to Monsieur de St. Gré's house and write him a letter?”
“No,” said the Vicomtesse, with decision, “I am going to Mrs. Temple's. I shall write the letter from there and send it by André, and you will go direct to Madame Gravois's.”
Her glance rested anxiously upon my face, and there came an expression in her eyes which disturbed me strangely. I had not known it since the days when Polly Ann used to mother me. But I did not mean to give up.
“I am not tired, Madame la Vicomtesse,” I answered, “and I will go with you to Mrs. Temple's.”
“Give me your hand,” she said, and smiled. “André and my maid are used to my vagaries, and your own countrymen will not mind. Give me your hand, Mr. Ritchie.”
I gave it willingly enough, with a thrill as she took it between her own. The same anxious look was in her eyes, and not the least embarrassment.
“There, it is hot and dry, as I feared,” she said, “and you seem flushed.” She dropped my hand, and there was a touch of irritation in her voice as she continued: “You seemed fairly sensible when I first met you last night, Mr. Ritchie. Are you losing your sanity? Do you not realize that you cannot take liberties with this climate? Do as I say, and go to Madame Gravois's at once.”
“It is my pleasure to obey you, Madame la Vicomtesse,” I answered, “but I mean to go with you as far as Mrs. Temple's, to see how she fares. She may be—worse.”