A lively-looking woman with quick restless black eyes stepped forward.
"I am sure," she said, with a mincing curtsey, "that we are very sorry if we have unintentionally wronged monsieur; but monsieur, who is aware of so many things, must know that many reports are circulated about monsieur that make one to shudder; that madame his sister's death so lamentable has given to all, what one would say, the horrors; and monsieur must consider that poor servants of virtuous reputation--"
"So, Jeanne Claudet!" interrupted Heliobas, in a thrilling low tone. "And what of the child--the little waxen-faced helpless babe left to die on the banks of the Loire? But it did not die, Jeanne--it was rescued; and it shall yet live to loathe its mother!"
The woman uttered a shriek, and fainted.
In the feminine confusion and fuss that ensued, Heliobas, accompanied by his little page and the dog Leo, left the hall and entered his own private room, where for some time I left him undisturbed.
In the early part of the afternoon a note was brought to me. It was from Colonel Everard, entreating me to come as soon as possible to his wife, who was very ill.
"Since she heard of the death of that beautiful young lady, a death so fearfully sudden and unexpected," wrote the Colonel, "she has been quite unlike herself--nervous, hysterical, and thoroughly unstrung. It will be a real kindness to her if you will come as soon as you can--she has such, a strong desire for your company."
I showed this note at once to Heliobas. He read it, and said: "Of course you must go. Wait till our simple funeral ceremony is over, and then--we part. Not for ever; I shall see you often again. For now I have lost Zara, you are my only female disciple, and I shall not willingly lose sight of you. You will correspond with me?"
"Gladly and gratefully," I replied.
"You shall not lose by it. I can initiate you into many secrets that will be useful to you in your career. As for your friend Mrs. Everard, you will find that your presence will cure her. You have progressed greatly in electric force: the mere touch of your hand will soothe her, as you will find. But never be tempted to try any of the fluids of which you have the recipes on her, or on anybody but yourself, unless you write to me first about it, as Cellini did when he tried an experiment on you. As for your own bodily and spiritual health, you know thoroughly what to do--KEEP THE SECRET; and make a step in advance every day. By-and-by you will have double work."