A THUNDERBOLT.
As the miner, who sets fire to the fuse and seeks shelter from the coming explosion, so did Diana de Laurebourg return to her father's house after her visit to Daumon.During dinner it was impossible for her to utter a word, and it was with the greatest difficulty that she succeeded in swallowing a mouthful.Fortunately neither her father nor mother took any notice of her.They had that day received a letter announcing the news that their son, for whose future prosperity they had sacrificed Diana, was lying dangerously ill in Paris, where he was living in great style.They were in terrible affliction, and spoke of starting at once, so as to be with him.They therefore expressed no surprise when, on leaving the table, Diana pleaded a severe headache as an excuse for retiring to her own room.When once she was alone, having dismissed her maid, she heaved a deep sigh of relief.She never thought of retiring to bed, but throwing open her window, leaned out with her elbow on the window-sill.
It seemed to her that Norbert would certainly make some effort to see her, or at any rate by some means to let her know whether he had succeeded or failed.
"But I must be patient," murmured she, "for I can't hear anything until the afternoon of to-morrow."In spite, however, of her resolutions, patience fled from her mind, and as soon as the servants had begun moving about, she went out into the garden and took up a position which commanded a view of the highroad, but no one appeared.The bell rang for breakfast.Again she had to seat herself at table with her parents, and the terrible penance of the past evening had to be repeated.At three o'clock she could endure the suspense no longer, and making her escape from the Chateau, she went over to Daumon, who, she felt, must have obtained some intelligence.Even if she found that he knew nothing, it would be a relief to speak to him and to ask him when he thought that this terrible delay would come to an end.But she got no comfort at Daumon's, for he had passed as miserable a night as herself, and was nearly dead with affright.He had remained in his office all the morning, starting at the slightest sound, and though he was as anxious as Diana for information, he had only gone out a little before her arrival.He met Mademoiselle Laurebourg on his return at the door of his cottage, and taking her inside, he informed her that at a late hour the night before the doctor had been sent for to Champdoce to attend the Duke, who was supposed to be dying.Then he reproved her bitterly for her imprudence in visiting him.
"Do you wish," said he, "to show all Bevron that you and I are Norbert's accomplices?""What do you mean?" asked she.
"I mean that if the Duke does not die, we are lost.When I say we, Imean myself, for you, as the daughter of a noble family, will be sure to escape scot free, and I shall be left to pay for all.""You said that the effect was immediate.""I did say so, and I thought so too.Ah, if I had but reflected a little! You will however see that I do not intend to give in without a fight.I will defend myself by accusing you.I am an honest man, and have been your dupe.You have thought to make me a mere tool; your fine Norbert is a fool, but he will pay for his doings with his head all the same."At these gross insults Mademoiselle de Laurebourg rose to her feet and attempted to speak, but he cut her short.
"I can't stop to pick and choose my words, for I feel at the present moment as if the axe of the guillotine were suspended over my head.
Now just oblige me by getting out of this, and never show your face here again.""As you like.I will communicate with Champdoce.""You shall not," exclaimed Daumon with a gesture of menace."You might as well go and ask how the Duke enjoyed the taste of the poison."His words, however, did not deter Diana, for any risk seemed preferable to her than the present state of suspense.
With a glance of contempt at the Counsellor she left the cottage, determined to act as she thought fit.
After Diana's departure, Daumon felt too that he must learn how matters were going on, and going over to the Widow Rouleau's, he despatched her daughter Francoise to the Chateau de Champdoce, under the pretext that he wanted some money which he had lent to one of the Duke's servants.He had instructed the girl so cunningly that she had no suspicion of the real end and object of her mission, and set out on it with the most implicit confidence.He had not long to wait for her return, for in about half an hour his messenger returned.
"Well," said he anxiously, "has the scamp sent my money?""No, sir, I am sorry to say that I could not even get to speak to him.""How was that? Was he not at Champdoce?"
"I cannot even tell you that.Ever since the Duke has been ill, the great gates of the Chateau have been bolted, for it seems that the poor old gentleman is at his last gasp.""Did you not hear what was the matter with him?""No, sir, the little I have told you I got from a stable boy, who spoke to me through a grating in the gate, but before he could say ten words Jean came up and sent him off.""Do you mean Jean, the Duke's confidential man?""Just so," returned the girl, "and very angry he was.He abused the lad and told him to be off to the stables, and then asked, 'Well, my girl, and pray what do you want?' I told him that I had come with a message to the man Mechenit; but before I could say any more he broke in with, 'Well, he isn't here, you can call again in a month.' ""You silly little fool, was that all you said?""Not quite, for I said that I must see Mechenit.Then, looking at me very suspiciously, he said, 'And who sent you here, you little spy?' "The Counsellor started.
"Indeed! and what did you say in return?" asked he.
"Why, of course I said that you had sent me.""Yes, yes, that was right."
