"I was speaking of destiny, Madame; what I have to say pertinently
concerns yours."
Madame trembled and her brow became moist. "Where do you wish me to go
with you, Monsieur?"
"Only into a deserted council chamber, where, if doubt or fear disturbs
you, you have but to cry to bring the whole regiment tumbling about my
ears."
"Proceed, Monsieur; I am not afraid."
"I go before only to show you the way, Madame."
He turned, and madame, casting a regretful glance at the planets which
were beginning to blaze in the firmament, followed him. She was at
once disturbed and curious. This man, brilliant and daring though she
knew him to be, always stirred a vague distrust. He had never done
aught to give rise to this inward antagonism; yet a shadowy instinct, a
half-slumbering sense, warned her against him. D'Herouville she hated
cordially, for he had pursued her openly; but this man walking before
her, she did not hate him, she feared him. There had been nights at
the hotel in Paris when she had felt the fiery current of his glance,
but he had never spoken; many a time she had read the secret in his
eyes, but his lips had remained mute.
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