But in this I was at fault, and
ere I had come upon a waiter and been redirected some precious moments
were lost. He led me back through the common room to a door opening
upon another corridor. He pushed it wide, and I came suddenly face
to face with Chatellerault, still flushed from his recent contest.
"You here!" he gasped, his jaw falling, and his cheeks turning pale,
as well they might; for all that he could not dream I had overheard
his bargaining.
"We will go back, if you please, Monsieur le Comte." said I.
"Back where?" he asked stupidly.
"Back to Mademoiselle. Back to the room you have just quitted."
And none too gently I pushed him into the corridor again, and so,
in the gloom, I missed the expression of his face.
"She is not there," said he.
I laughed shortly.
"Nevertheless, we will go back," I insisted.
And so I had my way, and we gained the room where his infamous
traffic had been held. Yet for once he spoke the truth. She was
no longer there.
"Where is she?" I demanded angrily.
"Gone," he answered; and when I protested that I had not met her,
"You would not have a lady go by way of the public room, would you?"
he demanded insolently. "She left by the side door into the
courtyard."
"That being so, Monsieur le Comte," said I quietly, "I will have a
little talk with you before going after her." And I carefully closed
the door.
CHAPTER XV
MONSIEUR DE CHATELLERAULT IS ANGRY
Within the room Chatellerault and I faced each other in silence.
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