“Come, Monsieur,” said the latter, in a low voice, as he took a step backward.

Instead of following his example, Gerfaut cast a glance upon Clemence.  She had fallen in such a dead faint that he sought in vain for her breath.  He leaned over her, with an irresistible feeling of pity and love; but just as he was about to take her in his arms and place her upon the divan, Bergenheim’s hand stopped him.  If there is a being on earth to whom one owes regard and respect, it is the one whom our own wrong has rendered our enemy.  Octave arose, and said, in a grave, resigned voice: 

“I am at your orders, Monsieur.”

Christian pointed to the door, as if to invite him to pass out first, thus preserving, with his extraordinary composure, the politeness which a good education makes an indelible habit, but which at this moment was more frightful to behold than the most furious outburst of temper.  Gerfaut glanced at Clemence again, and said, as he pointed to her: 

“Shall you leave her without any aid in this condition?  It is cruel.”

“It is not from cruelty, but out of pity,” replied the Baron, coldly; “she will awake only too soon.”

Octave’s heart was intensely oppressed, but he managed to conceal his emotion.  He hesitated no longer and stepped out.  The husband followed, without giving a glance at the poor woman whose own words had condemned her so inexorably.  And so she was left alone in this pretty boudoir as if in a tomb.

The two men descended the stairs leading from the little closet.  At the library door they found themselves in absolute obscurity; Christian opened a dark-lantern and its faint light guided their steps.  They traversed, in silence, the picture-gallery, the vestibule, and then mounted the main staircase.  They reached the Baron’s apartment without meeting anybody or betraying themselves by the slightest sound.  With the same outward self-possession which had characterized his whole conduct, Christian, after carefully closing the doors, lighted a candelabra filled with candles which was upon the mantel, and then turned to his companion, who was far less composed than he.

Gerfaut had suffered tortures since leaving the little parlor.  A feeling of regret and deepest pity, at the thought of the inevitable catastrophe which must follow, had softened his heart.  He saw in the most odious of colors the selfishness of his love.  Clemence’s last glance as she fell fainting at his feet—­a forgiving and a loving glance—­was like a dagger in his heart.  He had ruined her! the woman he loved! the queen of his life! the angel he adored!  This idea was like hell to him.  He was almost unable to control his emotion, dizzy as he was on the brink of the abyss opened by his hand, into which he had precipitated what he counted as the dearest part of his own self.

Bergenheim stood, cold and sombre, like a northern sky, opposite this pale-faced man, upon whose countenance a thousand passionate emotions were depicted like clouds on a stormy day.