And as M. Hennebeau went back into the middle of the room, giving a glance at each article of furniture, he noticed in the open bed a bright point which shone like a star. He approached mechanically and put out his hand. It was a little gold scent-bottle lying between two folds of the sheet. He at once recognized a scent-bottle belonging to Madame Hennebeau, the little ether bottle which was always with her. But he could not understand its presence here: how could it have got into Paul's bed? And suddenly he grew terribly pale. His wife had slept there.
"Beg your pardon, sir," murmured Hippolyte's voice through the door. "I saw you going up."
The servant entered and was thrown into consternation by the disorder.
"Lord! Why, the room is not done! So Rose has gone out, leaving all the hou
