The young man turned round, surprised, and saw a dark
complexioned girl, who, with a finger on her lip, held out
her other hand to him. This young lady was an utter
stranger.




CHAPTER 3

The Interview.



Raoul made one step towards the girl who thus called him.

"But my horse, madame?" said he.

"Oh! you are terribly embarrassed! Go yonder way -- there is
a shed in the outer court: fasten your horse, and return
quickly!"

"I obey, madame."

Raoul was not four minutes in performing what he had been
directed to do; he returned to the little door, where, in
the gloom, he found his mysterious conductress waiting for
him, on the first steps of a winding staircase.

"Are you brave enough to follow me, monsieur knight errant?"