chamber, and found no one.

The cord waved in the wind, as he leaned from the balcony. Then, from the
other side of the court, by the light of the moon, which burst forth at
intervals from the driving clouds, he saw the gate open.

In a moment he divined everything. A last ray of hope remained.

Vigorous and determined, he sprang over the balcony, using the cord in his
turn, lowered himself into the court, and rushed out of the house. The
street was deserted--he was alone.

He heard no other noise than the distant rolling of the carriage which was
rapidly carrying off the Creole. The notary thought it was some belated
vehicle, and attached no importance to this circumstance.

Thus, for him no chance remained of finding Cecily, who carried off with
her the proofs of his crimes!!!

On this frightful certainty, he fell, thunderstruck, on his own threshold.

He remained there a long time, dumb, immovable, petrified. With wan eyes,
his teeth compressed, his mouth foaming, tearing mechanically with his
nails his breast, he felt his reason totter, and was lost in an abyss of
darkness. When he awoke from his stupor, he walked heavily, and with an
ill-assured step; objects trembled in his sight; he felt as if recovering
from a fit of intoxication.

He shut with violence the street door, and re-entered the court. The rain
had ceased, but the wind continued to blow with violence, chasing the heavy