He is always in a hurry too."

"Why, colonel," said Edouard, "let us make haste then. Mind they go
early to rest at the chateau."

"But you are not coming my way, youngster?"

"Not coming your way? Yes, but I am. Yours is a face I don't see every
day, colonel; besides I would not miss THEIR faces, especially the
baroness's and Madame Raynal's, at sight of you; and, besides,"--and the
young gentleman chuckled to himself, and thought of Rose's words, "the
next time we meet;" well, this will be the next time. "May I jump up
behind?"

Colonel Raynal nodded assent. Edouard took a run, and lighted like a
monkey on the horse's crupper. He pranced and kicked at this unexpected
addition; but the spur being promptly applied to his flanks, he bounded
off with a snort that betrayed more astonishment than satisfaction, and
away they cantered to Beaurepaire, without drawing rein.

"There," said Edouard, "I was afraid they would be gone to bed; and they
are. The very house seems asleep--fancy--at half-past ten."

"That is a pity," said Raynal, "for this chateau is the stronghold of
etiquette. They will be two hours dressing before they will come out and
shake hands. I must put my horse into the stable. Go you and give the
alarm."

"I will, colonel. Stop, first let me see whether none of them are up,
after all."

And Edouard walked round the chateau, and soon discovered a light at one
window, the window of the tapestried room. Running round the other
way he came slap upon another light: this one was nearer the ground. A
narrow but massive door, which he had always seen not only locked but
screwed up, was wide open; and through the aperture the light of a
candle streamed out and met the moonlight streaming in.

"Hallo!" cried Edouard.

He stopped, turned, and looked in.

"Hallo!" he cried again much louder.

A young woman was sleeping with her feet in the silvery moonlight, and
her head in the orange-colored blaze of a flat candle, which rested on
the next step above of a fine stone staircase, whose existence was now
first revealed to the inquisitive Edouard.

Coming plump upon all this so unexpectedly, he quite started.

"Why, Jacintha!"

He touched her on the shoulder to wake her. No. Jacintha was sleeping as
only tired domestics can sleep. He might have taken the candle and burnt
her gown off her back. She had found a step that fitted into the small
of her back, and another that supported her head, and there she w