to find that, in
each case, it was an apothecary's before which she had hesitated.

"At last, after looking round again timidly, she entered one; and
when I came up, I also went in. She gave a nervous start. I asked
to be supplied with a pot of salve for a wound, and the man helped
me from one he had just placed on the counter before him. I paid
for it, and left.

"Two or three minutes later, I saw her come out. Whatever she had
bought, she had hidden it under her cloak. Up to this time she had
walked fast, but she now loitered, and looked at the wares
displayed on the stalls.

"'You are in no hurry to go back,' I said to myself. 'You have got
what you wanted, and you do not wish to attract attention, by
returning to the palace after so short an absence.'

"At last, when she was in a quiet spot, I walked quickly up to her.

"'Mademoiselle,' I said, taking off my hat, 'I am a friend of the
gentleman for whom you have bought that salve, and other matters.'

"She became very white, but she said stoutly:

"'I don't know what you are talking about, sir; and if you molest a
modest young woman in the streets, I shall appeal to the town
constables for protection.'

"'I repeat,' I said, 'that I am a friend of the gentleman for whom
you have just bought the materials for dressing his wounds. I am
the servant of his cousin, the Chevalier Fletcher; and the name of
your patient is Count Francois de Laville.'

"She looked at me, stupefied with astonishment, and stammered:

"'How do you know that?'

"'It is enough, mademoiselle, that I know it,' I said. 'My master
and I have come to Paris, expressly to find Monsieur de Laville;
and when we have found him, to aid him to make his escape. Do not
hesitate to confide in me, for only so shall we succeed in the
object of our journey.'

"'What is your master's Christian name?' she asked, still doubtful.

"'It is Philip,' I said.

"She clasped her hands together.

"'The good God be praised!' she exclaimed. 'It was of Philip he
spoke, when he was so ill. He was unconscious. Surely it is He that
has sent you to me. It has been terrible for me to bear my secret,
alone.'

"'Let us walk farther,' I said, 'before you tell me more. There are
too many people passing here; and if they notice the tears on your
cheeks, they may suspect me of ill treating you, and may ask
troublesome questions.'

"After a few minutes' walk, we came to a quiet square.

"'Let us sit down on this st