They
were Madame and the porter.
They stood a brief while outside and looked up and down. Then
Madame said something to the man, and he nodded. Leaving him
standing where he was, she crossed the grass with a quick, light
step, and vanished among the trees.
In a moment my mind was made up to follow; and, as Clon turned at
once and went in, I was able to do so before it was too late.
Bending low among the shrubs, I ran hotfoot to the point where
Madame had entered the wood. Here I found a narrow path, and ran
nimbly along it, and presently saw her grey robe fluttering among
the trees before me. It only remained to keep out of her sight
and give her no chance of discovering that she was followed; and
this I set myself to do. Once or twice she glanced round, but
the wood was of beech, the light which passed between the leaves
was mere twilight, and my clothes were dark-coloured. I had
every advantage, therefore, and little to fear as long as I could
keep her in view and still remain myself at such a distance that
the rustle of my tread would not disturb her.
Assured that she was on her way to meet her husband, whom my
presence kept from the house, I felt that the crisis had come at
last, and I grew more excited with each step I took.
Pages:
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104