He opened the door, and advanced towards a narrow staircase.

“You have got no light!” said Marguerite; “Is it your own neck or the gentleman’s that you have a mind to break?”

She crossed by me, and put a candle into Robert’s hand, having received which, he began to ascend the staircase. Jacques was employed in laying the cloth, and his back was turned towards me.

Marguerite seized the moment, when we were unobserved. She caught my hand, and pressed it strongly.

“Look at the sheets!” said she as she passed me, and immediately resumed her former occupation.