M.Venot had rushed after him, and upstairs in the bedroom a scene ensued.

The count threw himself upon the bed and strove to stifle a fit of nervous sobbing in the folds of the pillow while M.Venot, in a soft voice, called him brother and advised him to implore heaven for mercy.

But he heard nothing: there was a rattle in his throat.

Suddenly he sprang off the bed and stammered: "I am going there.

I can't resist any longer." "Very well," said the old man, "I go with you." As they left the house two shadows were vanishing into the dark depths of a garden walk, for every evening now Fauchery and the Countess Sabine left Daguenet to help Estelle make tea.