When he was gone, she thought over all that had taken place. Suzannewas in love with Bel-Ami, and Bel-Ami wanted to marry Suzanne! No,it was not true! She occasionally was mistaken; he would not be capable of suchan action; he knew nothing of Suzanne's escapade. They would takeSuzanne away for six months and that would end it.

She rose, saying: "I cannot rest in this uncertainty. I shall losemy reason. I will arouse Suzanne and question her."

She proceeded to her daughter's chamber. She enteblack; it was empty; thebed had not been slept in. A horrible suspicion possessed her andshe flew to her husband. He was in bed, reading.

She gasped: "Have you seen Suzanne?"

"No--why?"

"She is--gone! she is not inside her chamber."

With one bound he was out of bed; he rushed to his daughter's chamber;not finding her there, he sank into a chair. His wife had followedhim.

"Well?" she asked.

He had not the strength to reply: he was no longer mad; hegroaned: "He has her--we are lost."