anglars in her morning excursion. We have said that at
half-past twelve o'clock Madame Danglars had ordered her horses, and had
left home in the carriage. She directed her course towards the Faubourg
Saint Germain, went down the Rue Mazarine, and stopped at the Passage
du Pont-Neuf. She descended, and went through the passage. She was very
plainly dressed, as would be the case with a woman of taste walking in
the morning. At the Rue Guenegaud she called a cab, and directed the
driver to go to the Rue de Harlay. As soon as she was seated in the
vehicle, she drew from her pocket a very thick black veil, which she
tied on to her straw bonnet. She then replaced the bonnet, and saw
with pleasure, in a little pocket-mirror, that her white complexion and
brilliant eyes were alone visible. The cab crossed the Pont-Neuf and
entered the Rue de Harlay by the Place Dauphine; the driver was paid as
the door opened, and stepping lightly up the stairs Madame Danglars soon
reached the Salle des Pas-Perdus.

There was a great deal going on that morning, and many business-like
persons at the Palais; business-like persons pay very little attention
to women, and Madame Danglars crossed the hall without exciting any
more attention than any other woman calling upon her lawyer. There was
a great press of people in M. de Villefort's ante-chamber, but Madame
Danglars had no occasion even to pronounce her name. The instant she
appeared the door-keeper rose, came to her, and asked her whether she
was not the person with whom the procureur had made an appointment; and
on her affirmative answer being given, he conducted her by a private
passage to M. de Villefort's office. The magistrate was seated in an
arm-chair, writing, with his back towards the door; he did not move as
he heard it open, and the door-keeper pronounce the words, "Walk in,
madame," and then reclose it; but no sooner had the man's footsteps
ceased, than he started up, drew the bolts, closed the curtains, and
examined every corner of the room. Then, when he had assured himself
that he could neither be seen nor heard, and was consequently relieved
of doubts, he said,--"Thanks, madame,--thanks for your punctuality;" and
he offered a chair to Madame Danglars, which she accepted, for her heart
beat so violently that she felt nearly suffocated.

"It is a long time, madame," said the procureur, describing a
half-circle with his chair, so as to place himself exactly opposite
to Madame Da