On reaching the second floor, the advocate paused, drew a key from
his pocket, and opening the door facing him, entered as if at home. But
at the sound of the key in the lock, though very faint, a lady's maid,
rather young and pretty, with a bold pair of eyes, ran toward him.
"Ah! it is you, sir," cried she.
This exclamation escaped her just loud enough to be audible at the
extremity of the apartment, and serve as a signal if needed. It was as
if she had cried, "Take care!"
Noel did not seem to notice it. "Madame is there?" asked he.
"Yes, sir, and very angry too. This morning she wanted to send some one
to you. A little while ago she spoke of going to find you, sir, herself.
I have had much difficulty in prevailing on her not to disobey your
orders."
"Very well," said the advocate.
"Madame is in the smoking room," continued the girl "I am making her a
cup of tea. Will you have one, sir?"
"Yes," replied Noel. "Show me a light, Charlotte."
He passed successively through a magnificent dining-room, a splendid
gilded drawing-room in Louis XIV. style, and entered the smoking-room.
This was a rather large apartment with a very high ceiling.
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