CHAPTER THREESomething was happening, something was frightening her.
Fleur stirred convulsively and tried to scream.
Even as she did so a hand was pressed down over her mouth. She experienced a moment of sheer terror and then she heard Marie’s voice,
“It’s all right, mam’selle, it’s me, Marie. Don’t be afraid.”
“Marie!”
Fleur turned over, the terror of her dream still with her so that she could feel her heart beating too quickly and her breath coming pantingly through lips that still felt the imprint of Marie’s fingers.
“Hush! We must be very quiet. I have news for you.”
Fleur sat up in bed. There was a candle by the bedside, but its flickering light illuminated only a portion of the room, the rest was sombre and menacing in shadow.
“What is it?”
Marie came very near her and their
