"
"Does the Intendant know her?"
"I think he told her to watch over your safety during his absence.
She is old and your friend; will you see her?" replied Mere Malheur,
who saw the point was gained.
"Oh, yes, yes! tell her to come. Beseech her not to fail to come,
or I shall go mad. O woman, you too are old and experienced and
ought to know,--can she help me in this strait, think you?"
exclaimed Caroline, clasping her hands in a gesture of entreaty.
"No one is more able to help you," said the crone; "she can counsel
you what to do, and if need be find means to conceal you from the
search that will be made for you."
"Haste, then, and bid her come to-morrow night! Why not tonight?"
Caroline was all nervous impatience. "I will wait her coming in the
vaulted chamber; I will watch for her as one in the valley of death
watches for the angel of deliverance. Bid her come, and at midnight
to-morrow she shall find the door of the secret chamber open to
admit her."
The eagerness of the ill-fated girl to see La Corriveau outran every
calculation of Mere Malheur.
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