La Constantin Celebrated Crimes

Excerpt: ...to advance or recede. The chevalier listened, but felt sure the approaching voice belonged neither to the commander nor to the treasurer. 'His voice'? thought Quennebert to himself. Can this be yet another aspirant to her favour? The sound came nearer. Hide yourself! said Angelique, pointing to a door opposite to the partition behind which the widow and the notary were ensconced. Hide yourself there!-there's a secret staircase-you can get out that way. I hide myself! exclaimed Moranges, with a swaggering air. What are you thinking of? I remain. It would have been better for him to have followed her advice, as may very well have occurred to the youth two minutes later, as a tall, muscular young man entered in a state of intense excitement. Angelique rushed to meet him, crying- Ah! Monsieur le duc, is it you? What is this I hear, Angelique? said the Duc de Vitry. I was told below that three men had visited you this evening; but only two have gone out-where is the third? Ha! I do not need long to find him, he added, as he caught sight of the chevalier, who stood his ground bravely enough. In Heaven's name! cried Angelique, -in Heaven's name, listen to me! No, no, not a word. Just now I am not questioning you. Who are you, sir? The chevalier's teasing and bantering disposition made him even at that critical moment insensible to fear, so he retorted insolently- Whoever I please to be, sir; and on my word I find the tone in which you put your question delightfully amusing. The duke sprang forward in a rage, laying his hand on his sword. Angelique tried in vain to restrain him. You want to screen him from my vengeance, you false one! said he, retreating a few steps, so as to guard the door. Defend your life, sir! Do you defend yours! Both drew at the same moment. Two shrieks followed, one in the room, the other behind the tapestry, for neither Angelique nor the widow had been able to restrain her alarm as the two...