THE SNARE.
After the departure of Madame de Saint-Dizier and the marquis, Adrienne had remained in her aunt's apartment with M.Baleinier and Baron Tripeaud.
On hearing of the commissary's arrival, Mdlle.de Cardoville had felt considerable uneasiness; for there could be no doubt that, as Agricola had apprehended, this magistrate was come to search the hotel and extension, in order to find the smith, whom he believed to be concealed there.
Though she looked upon Agricola's hiding-place as a very safe one, Adrienne was not quite tranquil on his account; so in the event of any unfortunate accident, she thought it a good opportunity to recommend the refugee to the doctor, an intimate friend, as we have said, of one of the most influential ministers of the day.So, drawing near to the physician, who was conversing in a low voice with the baron, she said to him in her softest and most coaxing manner: "My good M.Baleinier, I wish to speak a few words with you." She pointed to the deep recess of one of the windows.
"I am at your orders, madame," answered the doctor, as he rose to follow Adrienne to the recess.
M.Tripeaud, who, no longer sustained by the abbe's presence, dreaded the young lady as he did fire, was not sorry for this diversion.To keep up appearances, he stationed himself before one of the sacred pictures, and began again to contemplate it, as if there were no bounds to his admiration.
When Mdlle.de Cardoville was far enough from the baron, not to be overheard by him, she said to the physician, who, all smiles and benevolence, waited for her to explain: "My good doctor, you are my friend, as you were my father's.Just now, notwithstanding the difficulty of your position, you had the courage to show yourself my only partisan."
"Not at all, madame; do not go and say such things!" cried the doctor, affecting a pleasant kind of anger."Plague on't! you would get me into a pretty scrape; so pray be silent on that subject.Vade retro Satanas!-
-which means: Get thee behind me, charming little demon that you are!"