“But you do not believe that I speak the truth,” she replied quietly.
He winced.
“Will you follow me?” she said, turning again.
He had started, plainly in an agony of fear, when a sound came from beyond the wall that brought a cry to his lips.
Her manner changed to one of stinging scorn.
“You are a coward,” she said. “I will bring the gentleman to you if he can be got to leave the bedside.”
“No,” said the Alcalde, “no. I—I will go to him, Madame la Vicomtesse.”
But she did not open the door.
“Listen,” she said in a tone of authority, “I myself have been to his Excellency to-day concerning this gentleman—”
“You, Madame la Vicomtesse?”