It was in vain I told myself contemptuously that she was a woman and that women were not accountable.

I felt that the real secret and motive of my indulgence lay, not in this, but in the suspicion, which her reference to the favour given me on my departure from Rosny had converted almost into a certainty, that I was myself the cause of her sudden ill-humour.
I might have followed this train of thought farther, and to very pertinent conclusions.

But on reaching M.de Rambouillet's lodging I was diverted from it by the abnormally quiet aspect of the house, on the steps of which half a dozen servants might commonly be seen lounging.
Now the doors were closed, no lights shone through the windows, and the hall sounded empty and desolate when I knocked.

Not a lackey hurried to receive me even then; but the slipshod tread of the old porter, as he came with a lantern to open, alone broke the silence.

I waited eagerly wondering what all this could mean; and when the man at last opened, and, recognising my face, begged my pardon if he had kept me waiting I asked him impatiently what was the matter.
'And where is the Marquis ?' I added, stepping inside to be out of the wind, and loosening my cloak.
'Have you not heard, sir ?' the man asked, holding up his lantern to my face.