disguised in a long mantle, rushed in, and stepping past Martiniere, called out with a loud voice in the corridor, "Bring me directly into your lady's presence!" Martiniere, much alarmed, held up the candle, to try if she could recognize his features, and the light fell upon the deadly pale and agitated countenance of a very young man; but she had almost fallen to the ground in her terror, when he suddenly threw aside his mantle, and the glittering hilt of a stiletto was visible in his bosom. The youth's eyes seemed to flash fire on the poor waiting-maid, and in a voice wilder than ever he repeated, "Lead me, I say, to your mistress!" Martiniere was now fully persuaded that her lady was in the most imminent danger, and her attachment to the noble demoiselle, whom she looked up to with even filial respect and veneration, was such, that it got the better of her own fears, and gave her a degree of firmness of which she would otherwise have been quite incapable. Suddenly she closed the door of her apartment, took her station before it, and, in a strong steady voice, "In truth," said she, "your mad behavior here suits ill with your humble complaints and entreaties, by which I so rashly allowed myself to be persuaded. As to my lady, you shall certainly not speak with her in this mood, nor have you any right to make such a demand; for if your intentions are really blameless, there is no need that you should be afraid of the daylight. Therefore come to-morrow, and you shall be listened to; but for the present, not a word more; but get out of the house. Pack up, and begone!"
The strange youth heaved a long deep sigh, fixed a frightful look on Martiniere, and grasped the hilt of his stiletto.—The femme de chambre thought her last hour was come; and silently recommended herself to Heaven. However, she stood firm, and boldly looked the young man in the face, drawing herself up more closely against the door of the apartment, through which it was necessary to pass in order to arrive at that of de Scuderi. "Let me go to your lady, I tell you once more!" said the stranger, "or you may have reason bitterly to repent your conduct when it is too late."
