"We shall! For thy tenor hath enthralled me!"
They sang "Addio, speranza ed anima" from Troliata until the sound of footsteps warned them that they had better stop. The chipmunks applauded wildly.
As Meurtrier slid back into his secret smiau, a voice called out, "Mademoiselle, mademoiselle! Mme. de Villefaramir searches for you everywhere; there is a visitor in the salon. A great lord, who calls himself the Count of Monte Fato."
"How does the Count know M. de Villefaramir?" wondered Meurtrier, who had paused to gaze once more on the one he lovedethed.
"I come," said Valartine.
It was indeed the Count of Monte Fato who had just entered chez Mme. Béruthielle de Villefaramir, in the intention of returning the visit made him by the steuard du roi, and at his name the entire house, as you will easily understand, was in turmoil; for the sudden flowering of the white weed in their garden heralded the arrival of a great one, more marvellous even than the rumoured fidelity of Angélique de Coton.
