I heard a voice calling my
name, and, looking back, saw M. de Rambouillet's equerry, a man deep in
his confidence, running after me. He brought a message from his master,
which he begged me to consider of the first importance.

'The Marquis would not trust it to writing, sir,' he continued, drawing
me aside into a corner where we were conveniently retired, 'but he made
me learn it by heart. "Tell M. de Marsac," said he, "that that which he
was left in Blois to do must be done quickly, or not at all. There is
something afoot in the other camp, I am not sure what. But now is the
time to knock in the nail. I know his zeal, and I depend upon him."'

An hour before I should have listened to this message with serious
doubts and misgivings. Now, acquainted with mademoiselle's arrival, I
returned M. de Rambouillet an answer in the same strain, and parting
civilly from Bertram, who was a man I much esteemed, I hastened on to my
lodgings, exulting in the thought that the hour and the woman were come
at last, and that before the dawn of another day I might hope, all being
well, to accomplish with honour to myself and advantage to others the
commission which M. de Rosny had entrusted to me.

I must not deny that, mingled with this, was some excitement at the
prospect of seeing mademoiselle again. I strove to conjure up before me
as I mounted the stairs the exact expression of her face as I had last
seen it bending from the window at Rosny; to the end that I might have
some guide for my future conduct, and might be less likely to fall into
the snare of a young girl's coquetry. But I could come now, as then, to
no satisfactory or safe conclusion, and only felt anew the vexation I
had experienced on losing the velvet knot, which she had given me on
that occasion.

I knocked at the door of the rooms which I had reserved for her, and
which were on the floor below my own; but I got no answer. Supposing
that Simon had taken her upstairs, I mounted quickly, not doubting I
should find her there. Judge of my surprise and dismay when I found that
room also empty, save for the lackey whom M. de Rambouillet had lent me!

'Where are they?' I asked the man, speaking sharply, and standing with
my hand on the door.

'The lady and her woman, sir?' he answered, coming forward.

'Yes, yes!' I cried impatiently, a sudden fear at my heart.

She went out immediately after her arrival with Simon Fleix, sir, and
has not yet returned,' he answered.