William Bouguereau

murderer was coming - she could not prevent his coming again - unknown to her father, unknown to all but to Monsieur Robert Darzac. For he must know it now - perhaps he had known it before! Did he remember that phrase in the Elysee garden: 'Must I commit a crime, then, to win you?' Against whom the crime, if not against the obstacle, against the murderer? 'Ah, I would kill him with my own hand!' And I replied, 'You have not answered my question.' That was the very truth. In truth, in truth, Monsieur Darzac knew the murderer so well that - while wishing to kill him himself - he was afraid I should find him. There could be but two reasons why he had assisted me in my investigation. First, because I forced him to do it; and, second, because she would be the better protected.
"I am in the chamber - her room. I look at her, also at the place where the letter had just now been. She has possessed herself of it; it was evidently intended for her - evidently. How she trembles! - Trembles at the strange story her father is telling her, of the presence of the murderer in her chamber, and of the pursuit. But it is plainly to be seen that she is not wholly satisfied by the assurance given her until she had been told that the murderer, by some incomprehensible means, had been able to elude us.