The narrow streets and alleys were already dark, but the air of excitement which I had noticed in the morning still marked the townsfolk, of whom a great number were strolling abroad, or standing in doorways talking to their gossips.

Feverishly anxious as I was, I remarked the gloom which dwelt on all faces; but as I set it down to the king's approaching departure, and besides was intent on seeing that those we sought did not by any chance pass us in the crowd, I thought little of it.

Five minutes' walking brought us to M.de Rosny's lodging.
There I knocked at the door; impatiently, I confess, and with little hope of success.

But, to my surprise, barely an instant elapsed before the door opened, and I saw before me Simon Fleix! Discovering who it was, he cowered back, with a terrified face, and retreated to the wall with his arm raised.
'You scoundrel!' I exclaimed, restraining myself with difficulty.

'Tell me this moment where Mademoiselle de la Vire is! Or, by Heaven, I shall forget what my mother owed to you, and do you a mischief!' For an instant he glared at me viciously, with all his teeth exposed, as though he meant to refuse--and more.