A recollection doubled her fears. On the evening before at Mme. de la Vaudraye's, a turn in the conversation had led her to say that her servants were going to this fair. So they knew that she was all alone at the Logis.
Her one thought was to close the window, fasten down the shutters and place an obstacle between herself and the snares that were being laid for her in the threatening darkness; and yet she dared not stir, as though the least movement would have exposed her to immediate dangers. ... But what dangers?
She made an effort and rose from her chair. At the same moment, a head appeared and a man strode across the balcony and sprang into the room. It was Simare.
The revulsion of feeling was such that she almost felt inclined to laugh. Wearily, she sat down and murmured:
"Oh, monsieur, you ought not to have done this! ... I should never have thought it of you. ..."
