A feeling
almost of peace, almost of comfort--a drowsy feeling, that was three
parts a reaction from excitement--took possession of her. In the
darkness her head sank lower and lower on her knees. And half an hour
passed, while Javette whimpered, and Madame Carlat slumbered, her broad
back propped against the wall.
Suddenly Mademoiselle opened her eyes, and saw, three steps below her, a
strange man whose upward way she barred. Behind him came Carlat, and
behind him Bigot, lighting both; and in the confusion of her thoughts as
she rose to her feet the three, all staring at her in a common amazement,
seemed a company. The air entering through the open window beside her
blew the flame of the candle this way and that, and added to the
nightmare character of the scene; for by the shifting light the men
seemed to laugh one moment and scowl the next, and their shadows were now
high and now low on the wall. In truth, they were as much amazed at
coming on her in that place as she at their appearance; but they were
awake, and she newly roused from sleep; and the advantage was with them.
"What is it?" she cried in a panic. "What is it?"
"If Mademoiselle will return to her room?" one of the men said
courteously.
"But--what is it?" She was frightened.
"If Mademoiselle--"
Then she turned without more and went back into the room, and the three
followed, and her woman and Madame Carlat.
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