g utterance
to this overpowering, overwhelming thought, which seemed to crush all
others in his mind, the sharp sound of the lock was again heard, and,
although the sound was almost imperceptible, his overexcited senses
detected it instantly. An indefinable shudder ran through the young
man's whole frame; again he listened with eager attention. So profound a
silence reigned around him on every side that he could hear the
throbbings of his own heart. A few minutes passed away without anything
he expected making its appearance. In default of his eyes, however, his
ears told him that some one was approaching, for he heard the sound of
the gravel under the advancing footsteps. Suddenly the straight black
line of the hedge seemed broken; he imagined he saw upon this dark
background a group still darker moving along.

"It is he returning again," murmured Henri. "Is he alone, or is some one
with him?"

The objects advanced from the side where the silver light of the moon
had illuminated a space of open ground. It was at the very moment when,
advancing in the opposite direction, the man in the overcoat crossed
this open space, that Henri fancied he recognized Remy. This time Henri
observed two shadows very distinctly; it was impossible he could be
mistaken. A death-like chill struck to his heart, and seemed to have
turned it to marble.

The two shadows walked quickly along, although with a firm step; the
former was dressed in a woolen overcoat, and at the appearance of the
second apparition, as at that of the first, the count fancied he
recognized Remy.

The second, who was completely enveloped in a large man's cloak, seemed
to defy every attempt at recognition.

And yet, beneath that cloak, Henri fancied he could detect what no human
eye could have possibly seen.

He could not control a deep bitter groan of despair, and no sooner had
the two mysterious personages disappeared behind the hedge than the
young man darted after them, and stealthily glided from one group of
trees to another, in the wake of those whom he was so anxious to
discover.

"Oh!" he murmured, as he stole along, "do I not indeed deceive myself?
Oh! Heaven, can it really be possible?"

CHAPTER LXXXVII.

CERTAINTY.

Henri glided along the hedge on the side which was thrown into deep
shade, taking care to make no noise either on the gravel or against the
trees.

Obliged to walk carefully, and while walking to watch carefully over
every m