!'

"'Let him be tortured! Let him pay for all the agony his father has
inflicted on me!'

"'You shall be satisfied!'

"The two men then walked away still talking, but in such low voices that
I could not hear. I rushed from my hiding-place and hastened to my room.
I had learned little, it is true; but what I heard had opened wide and
fearful possibilities. I knew Monsieur de Laisangy, and knew that he
would stop at nothing. It would be useless for me to interfere openly,
and then I thought of you."

"And you we're right in sending for me. In your recital, however, there
are many points that are obscure. Thank you for warning me. You asked
me, a few moments since, if I loved Esperance. I look upon him as my
brother, and I would give my life to spare him a pang."

"But of whom did the man speak when he said, '_she_ is in my power'?"

"I do not venture to say; but in an hour we shall know."

The young man turned toward the door. Carmen came to his side and gave
him her hand. He drew her to his breast.

"You have hurt me, Carmen, but I respect you more than ever, and I love
you!"

"Ah!" she said, passionately, "those words from your lips have made me
your slave. I belong to you from this moment! I will mount guard over
the enemy, and we will work together!"

CHAPTER LIX.

UPON THE TRACK.

Goutran left Carmen's room, his brain all in a whirl. It was late, but
the young man knew not too late to go to the Vicomte's. Throwing himself
into a carriage, he drove to the hotel in the Champs Elysees. He was
amazed to find it in total darkness, and when he asked for the Vicomte,
was surprised at the embarrassed manner of the Swiss, as well as to hear
that Esperance was out, without leaving word when he would return.

"And Madame Caraman and Coucon?"

"They are out too, sir."

While Goutran was thus impatiently questioning the man, a carriage
stopped, from which descended Fanfar, Sanselme, Coucon and Madame
Caraman.

"Ah! Monsieur Goutran!" exclaimed Fanfar, "I have just been to your
rooms, and am thankful to meet you here. I am anxious to consult with
you."

"You know, then, what is going on?" cried Goutran.

"I think I do; but let us go up-stairs; before we begin the fray, it is
well to understand the battlefield, and to become familiar with it."

As he said this, Fanfar entered the vestibule, but the Swiss hurried
after him.

"But, sir," he said, in some confusion, "in the absence of the Count and