Page:Clermont - Roche (1798, volume 4).djvu/225

 "I did not conceive there was the least impropriety in examining the apartments," said Madeline.

"Impropriety, why no; but then you might have told me you were curious. Come, let us quit this chamber; I hate it."

"Have you reason to hate it?" asked Madeline, her eyes still fastened upon the blood-stained floor. She felt the hand of Madame Fleury tremble.—"Why to tell you the truth, (said she, going to the bedstead and sitting down), my nephew, Dupont, (speaking in an agitated voice), once met with an ugly accident in it; he fell and hurt himself so much, we thought he never would have recovered; the stains of his blood are still upon the floor; nothing would take them out."

"Blood sinks deep!" said Madeline in a hollow voice, and raising her eyes, she fixed them upon Madame Fleury.

"Pray let us leave this chamber," cried her companion, rising in visible confusion. She seized the arm of Madeline, and drawing