Part 61 (1/2)

His assurance uplifted them merely to prepare them for a still more profound dejection when presently they met with a flat refusal from the president of the section who received the Countess

”Your name, madame?” he had asked brusquely A rude fellow of the most advanced republican type, he had not even risen out of deference to the ladies when they entered He was there, he would have told you, to perfor-lessons

”Plougastel,” he repeated after her, without title, as if it had been the name of a butcher or baker He took down a heavy volues It was a sort of directory of his section Presently he found what he sought ”Coastel, Rue du Paradis Is that it?”

”That is correct, monsieur,” she answered, hat civility she couldrudeness

There was a longwhich he studied certain pencilled entries against the na in the last feeeks enerally suspected

”Your husband is with you, e

”M le Co the title

”Not with you?” He looked up suddenly, and directed upon her a glance in which suspicion seemed to blend with derision ”Where is he?”

”He is not in Paris, monsieur

”Ah! Is he at Coblenz, do you think?”

Mada ominous in all this To what end had the sections infors of their inhabitants? What was preparing? She had a sense of being trapped, of being taken in a net that had been cast unseen

”I do not know, monsieur,” she said, her voice unsteady

”Of course not” He seemed to sneer ”No matter And you wish to leave Paris also? Where do you desire to go?”

”To Meudon”

”Your business there?”

The blood leapt to her face His insolence was unbearable to a wo but the utmost deference fro that she was face to face with forces entirely new, she controlled herself, stifled her resentment, and answered steadily

”I wish to conduct this lady, Mlle de Kercadiou, back to her uncle who resides there”

”Is that all? Another day will do for that, ”

”Pardon, ”