to some invisible interlocutor, "Oui! certainement! Of co'rse! Pourquoi, what for I not see, eh? d'avance?"
"See what, Monsieur? What is it you have not seen before?" asked his companion, smiling at his excitement.
"Dat she not love; she, Marie love Napoleon; non!"
"Do you really think so?" exclaimed De Cheville, almost rising to his feet, as if the thought had suddenly occurred to him also. "Re'ly! assurément! Ah! what you call? certainly!" he answered with great vehemence, striding rapidly toward the end of the corridor, and still nodding his head in growing conviction, as one circumstance after another arose to his memory. De Cheville sank back into his seat, and covered his face with his hands, while visions of happiness, which he had schooled himself to reject and discourage came thronging through his excited imagination.
He was recalled by the sound of a strange voice; and on looking up, perceived a middle-aged gentleman, wearing the unmistakable air and dress of a clergyman, who stepped upon the corridor and inquired for Monsieur Maillefert.
"Je suis l'homme, Monsieur," said that gentleman, halting before him with a courtly bow.
"My name is McAllen, Sir," the stranger said, returning his salutation. "I have some business with a Madame Lefrette, who lives near here, and have been referred to you, as a person probably willing to accompany me to her. I knew her father," he added, apologetically, "in my boyhood, but am not personally acquainted with her."
"I go with mosh plaisure, Sare," said M. Maillefert. "You stay, mon ami?" he added, to De Cheville. "I return—what you call!—forthwith! Allons, Monsieur!"
The two walked away toward Madame Dupley's, leaving De Cheville pacing, with an unquiet step and perplexed face, up and down the half-covered corridor. He paused from time to time at the end next the street, and once stepped down upon the walk, as if to follow Monsieur Maillefert and the stranger; but the next moment a shade of irresolution crossed his brow, and he reluctantly and slowly retraced his steps. He felt as if drawn by an almost irresistible
