But even that seemed less terrible to bear than the thought that he should never know how much she loved him--that at any rate would be spared her; the squalid room itself, which seemed to be waiting for him, told her that he would be here soon.
Suddenly her over-sensitive ears caught the sound of distant footsteps drawing near; her heart gave a wild leap of joy! Was it Percy at last? No! the step did not seem quite as long, nor quite as firm as his; she also thought that she could hear two distinct sets of footsteps. Yes! that was it! two men were coming this way.
Two strangers perhaps, to get a drink, or. . .
But she had not time to conjecture, for presently there was a peremptory call at the door, and the next moment it was violently open from the outside, whilst a rough, commanding voice shouted,--"Hey! Citoyen Brogard! Hola!"
Marguerite could not see the newcomers, but, through a hole in one of the curtains, she could observe one portion of the room below.