That circumstance astonished him, because he had passed
through many more solemn moments without the slightest trace of
emotion. No danger threatened him. Then why did his heart throb
like an alarm-bell? Was it that sleeping woman who affected him?
Was it the proximity of another pulsating heart?
He listened, and thought he could discern the rhythmical breathing
of a person asleep. It gave him confidence, like the presence of a
friend. He sought and found the armchair; then, by slow, cautious
movements, advanced toward the table, feeling ahead of him with
outstretched arm. His right had touched one of the feet of the
table. Ah! now, he had simply to rise, take the pearl, and escape.
That was fortunate, as his heart was leaping in his breast like a
wild beast, and made so much noise that he feared it would waken
the countess. By a powerful effort of the will, he subdued the
wild throbbing of his heart, and was about to rise from the floor
when his left hand encountered, lying on the floor, an object which
he recognized as a candlestick--an overturned candlestick. A moment
later, his hand encountered another object: a clock--one of those
small traveling clocks, covered with leather.
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