"I was only going out for want of something better to do, upon my word!
So sit down, and tell me all."

Daniel had been so overcome by terror, and the fear that he might
possibly lose Henrietta, that he had run to his friend without
considering what he was going to tell him. Now, when the moment came to
speak, he was silent. The thought had just occurred to him, that Count
Ville-Handry's secret was not his own, and that he was in duty bound not
to betray it, if possible, even if he could have absolutely relied upon
his friend's discretion.

He did not reply, therefore, but walked up and down the room, seeking in
vain some plausible excuse, and suffering perfect agony. This continued
so long, that Maxime, who had of late heard much of diseases of the
brain, asked himself if Daniel could possibly have lost his mind.

No; for suddenly his friend stopped before him, and said in a short,
sharp tone,--

"First of all, Maxime, swear that you will never, under any
circumstances, say to any human being a word of what I am going to tell
you."

Thoroughly mystified, Brevan raised his hand, and said,--

"I pledge my word of honor!"

This promise seemed to re-assure Daniel; and, when he thought he had
recovered sufficient control over himself, he said,--