Once he paused abruptly.  It occurred to him that perhaps, after all, his own vanity was misleading him.  No doubt Mademoiselle had already forgotten what had happened, and was wondering what had become of him.  “I must write to her,” he said.  And the idea that he was acting unaccountably strengthened itself in his mind, and gradually he regained the mastery of himself.  Was it not stupid, he thought, to suspect that Mademoiselle had discerned his secret.  He had guarded it so carefully; he had never given the least sign—­until her eyes had robbed him of his self-control.  But to think that she should for a moment dream that a hunchback would dare.—­The idea was absurd.  He began to see things clearly again.

Half-an-hour later he turned and walked back to Rouen, paid his bill at the Hotel de Bordeaux, drove to the station, and took the train to Rocheville.  He had resolved to explain to Mademoiselle that he had been called unexpectedly away.

M. Lorman frowned when Jacques came to tell him that Monsieur Raoul had been able to return.

* * * * *

It was dark when Mademoiselle, pale and trembling, rose from her bed, her face wet with tears.  She lighted a candle and began to write.  Note after note she altered and destroyed.  When at length she had written one to her liking, she sealed it up.  Then she put on her cloak and went down towards the Rue Louise.

IX.

Outside, the rain pattered against the window; within Jacques and his wife sat at supper.  Someone tapped at the door and Madame went to open it:  “Ciel!” she cried.  “But you are wet!”

Mademoiselle Elise spoke with quickened breath as if she had been hurrying.

“I only come to see Jacques—­Jacques do you know where Monsieur Raoul is staying at Rouen?  I have a message for him.”

Jacques looked at his wife.  It was she who answered:  “Monsieur returned unexpectedly this afternoon, Mademoiselle; he is upstairs now.”

The muscles of Mademoiselle’s face twitched as with a sudden pain.  A look of terror came into her bright eyes.  She rested her hand on the chair beside her, as if she were faint.

“Take off your cloak,” said Madame, “and Jacques will tell Monsieur that you are here.”

Jacques rose, but Mademoiselle stopped him.  “No,” she said; “I will go to him, if I may.  I have a message for him.”

Mademoiselle Elise went up.  Raoul opened the door.

“Did you wonder what had become of me?” he stammered.  The unexpectedness of her coming unnerved him.  He forgot his planned excuse.

“I thought you were at Rouen,” she said mechanically, and without raising her eyes, “or I should not have come.  I have a message for you.”

“You are wet,” he said.  “Give me your cloak, and rest until Madame Martin has dried it.”

He gave the cloak to Julie and closed the door.