"'It's the cloak,' said he carelessly. "Where's my mother?'
"'Up stairs, preparing a bed for me,' replied Julie.
"'You sleep here, then?' said he, in a tone that rather indicated annoyance than satisfaction.
"'Oui,' returned Julie, 'si cela ne vous gêne pas.'
"'Du tout,' replied he, 'cela m'est égal.'
"'He speaks as if he didn't think me worth killing,' thought Julie; 'there's some comfort in that,'
"'Will you take a draught of wine after your walk?" said she.
"'Merci,' replied he, 'presently,' and quitting the room, she heard him ascending the stairs, and immediately afterwards his voice reached her in earnest conversation with his mother.
"A great deal she would have given to overhear the dialogue, of which she felt quite certain she knew the subject; but although every intonation of their voices penetrated the rafters that formed the ceiling of the room she was in, not a single word could she make out. At length the door above opened, and she heard the old woman say, 'It's very alarming, at
