C.: "most certainly we
should be robbed."
Andre made his request: could they give us lodgment?
"Not so much as a chair or a bench," answered the woman, to our relief;
for though we should never have entered, Andre might have disappeared
with the baggage and given us some trouble. He evidently had all the
obstinacy of the Breton about him, and was growing desperate. The door
was closed again without ceremony, and once more we were left to make
the best of it.
This time we took the lead and made for the hotel. Again we passed
through the wonderful street with the overhanging eaves and gables.
Again we paused and lingered, lost in admiration. But the light had
departed from the latticed window, and no doubt in dreams the Fair One
was beholding again the vision of H.C.
A few minutes more and we stood before the hotel. They were just closing
the doors. Monsieur Hellard was crossing the passage at the moment.
Never shall I forget his consternation. He raised his hands, and his
hair stood on end.
"What's the matter?" he cried.
"Matter enough," replied Andre taking up the parable. "Madame never sent
to the bouchere, and the bouchere has no room. And I think"--despair
giving him courage--"it was too bad to give us a wild goose chase at
this time of night."
"And now you must do your best and put us where you can," I concluded.
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