Valentine seized the count’s hand. “I think I hear a noise,” she said; “leave me.”
“Goodbye, for the present,” replied the count, walking upon tiptoe towards the library door, and smiling with an expression so sad and paternal that the young girl’s heart was filled with gratitude.
Before closing the door he turned around once more, and said, “Not a movement—not a word; let them think you asleep, or perhaps you may be killed before I have the power of helping you.”
And with this fearful injunction the count disappeared through the door, which noiselessly closed after him.