impossible that I could view a scene so strange without feelings
of admiration as well as pity; or without forgetting for a while, in
my respect for Madame de Bruhl's devotion, the risk which had seemed so
great to me on the stairs. I had come simply for a purpose of my own,
and with no thought of aiding him who lay here. But so great, as I
have noticed on other occasions, is the power of a noble example, that,
before I knew it, I found myself wondering what I could do to help this
man, and how I could relieve madame, in the discharge of offices which
her husband had as little right to expect at her hands as at mine. At
the mere sound of the word Plague I knew she would be deserted in this
wilderness by all, or nearly all; a reflection which suggested to me
that I should first remove mademoiselle to a distance, and then consider
what help I could afford here.

I was about to tell her the purpose with which I had come when a
paroxysm more than ordinarily violent, and induced perhaps by the
excitement of my presence--though he seemed beside himself--seized him,
and threatened to tax her powers to the utmost. I could not look on and
see her spend herself in vain; and almost before I knew what I was doing
I had laid my hands on him and after a brief struggle thrust him back
exhausted on the couch.

She looked at me so strangely after that that in the half-light which
the loopholes afforded I tried in vain to read her meaning. 'Why did you
come?' she cried at length, breathing quickly. 'You, of all men? Why did
you come? He was no friend of yours, Heaven knows!'

'No, madame, nor I of his,' I answered bitterly, with a sudden revulsion
of feeling.

'Then why are you here?' she retorted.

'I could not send one of my men,' I answered. 'And I want the key of the
room above.'

At the mention of that the room above--she flinched as if I had struck
her, and looked as strangely at Bruhl as she had before looked at me. No
doubt the reference to Mademoiselle de la Vire recalled to her mind
her husband's wild passion for the girl, which for the moment she had
forgotten. Nevertheless she did not speak, though her face turned very
pale. She stooped over the couch, such as it was, and searching his
clothes, presently stood up, and held out the key to me. 'Take it, and
let her out,' she said with a forced smile. 'Take it up yourself, and do
it. You have done so much for her it is right that you should do this.'

I took the key, th