. [There is silence.] FERRAND. [

And for a long time continued pacing up and down between the bed and the door. He could not get used to the thought that she had really left him, and as though
still searching for
some message, some reason, some reading of all the mystery

of his married life, he began opening every recess and drawer.
There were her dresses; he had always liked, indeed insisted, that she

should be well-dressed--she had taken very few; two or three at most, and drawer after drawer; full of linen and silk things,
was untouched. Perhaps after all it was only a freak, and she had gone to the seaside for a few days' change. If only that were so,
and she were really coming back, he would never again do as he had done that fatal night before
last, never again run that risk--though it was her duty, her duty as a wife;
though she did belong to him--he would never again run that risk; she was evide ntly not quite right in
her head! He stooped

over the drawer where she kept her jewels; it was not locked,
and came open as he pulled; the jewel box

had the key in it. This surprised him until he remembered that it was sure to be empty. He opened it. It was far from