Count Hannibal

Fear leapt into Mademoiselle's eyes, but she commanded herself. She

signed to Madame Carlat to be silent, and they listened, gazing at one

another, hoping against hope that the woman was mistaken. A long moment

they waited, and some were beginning to breathe again, when the strident

tones of Count Hannibal's voice rolled up the staircase, and put an end

to doubt. Mademoiselle grasped the table and stood supporting herself by

it.

"What are we to do?" she muttered. "What are we to do?" and she turned

distractedly towards the women. The courage which had supported her in

her lover's absence had abandoned her now. "If he finds him here I am

lost! I am lost!"

"He will not know me," Tignonville muttered. But he spoke uncertainly;

and his gaze, shifting hither and thither, belied the boldness of his

words.

Madame Carlat's eyes flew round the room; on her for once the burden

seemed to rest. Alas! the room had no second door, and the windows

looked on a courtyard guarded by Tavannes' people. And even now Count

Hannibal's step rang on the stair! his hand was almost on the latch. The

woman wrung her hands; then, a thought striking her, she darted to a

corner where Mademoiselle's robes hung on pegs against the wall.

"Here!" she cried, raising them. "Behind these! He may not be seen

here! Quick, Monsieur, quick! Hide yourself!"

It was a forlorn hope--the suggestion of one who had not thought out the

position; and, whatever its promise, Mademoiselle's pride revolted

against it.

"No," she cried. "Not there!" while Tignonville, who knew that the step

was useless, since Count Hannibal must have learned that a monk had

entered, held his ground.

"You could not deny yourself?" he muttered hurriedly.

"And a priest with me?" she answered; and she shook her head.

There was no time for more, and even as Mademoiselle spoke Count

Hannibal's knuckles tapped the door. She cast a last look at her lover.

He had turned his back on the window; the light no longer fell on his

face. It was possible that he might pass unrecognized, if Tavannes' stay

was brief; at any rate, the risk must be run. In a half stifled voice

she bade her woman, Javette, open the door. Count Hannibal bowed low as

he entered; and he deceived the others. But he did not deceive her. He

had not crossed the threshold before she repented that she had not acted

on Tignonville's suggestion, and denied herself. For what could escape

those hard keen eyes, which swept the room, saw all, and seemed to see

nothing--those eyes in which there dwelt even now a glint of cruel

humour? He might deceive others, but she who panted within his grasp, as

the wild bird palpitates in the hand of the fowler, was not deceived! He

saw, he knew! although, as he bowed, and smiling, stood upright, he

looked only at her.