No sooner had the doors closed behind me than I heard a rattle from above. I stopped and listened. There came two or three quiet footsteps. My heart began to thud and I set off down the stair as quickly as I could fly.

‘Lady Allenham!’ Savill called out.

The sound of his voice struck me near dumb with terror. Indeed, that he had been lying in wait for me should not have come as a surprise. I dare say he had paid some informant amongst Madame’s staff to observe my every movement.

I did not answer; instead, I hastened into the hall upon the ground floor. But for the candles glowing against their mirrors, all was still. Neither Madame Bonet nor any of her footmen were to be found.

‘Madame?’ I cried.

A quick march of feet came from behind me.

‘What do you require, little creature?’

I turned to see Savill approaching me. His mouth had been shaped into a smile, but his eyes were as sharp as blades. He moved towards me with the slow menace of a gunship.

I backed towards the entry.

‘Sir!’ I cried. ‘I bid you keep your distance or I shall scream.’

But he did not cease his advance.

I pushed through the door and down the steps into the courtyard. Savill followed me, his intent graven upon his features.

‘Dear, dear angel,’ he sang out. ‘I can bring an end to your difficulties. Remember you that. You need only say the word.’ He folded himself into one of his dissembling bows.

He must have thought me a dunce indeed to have offered such a sham display of contrition. I continued to move cautiously towards the gate which led on to the rue Jacob.

‘I cannot think where you propose to hide,’ he called. ‘If you flee, I shall find you. When you return, I shall be here awaiting you. You see, this is a foolish sport. You would do well to give it up.’

Each step I took away from him was countered by one of his own, until I recognized that I had no option but to pass through the gate and on to the street. My belly tightened with dread. I could not think in which direction to turn. Night had already thrown its dark grey tint along the houses and shutters. A lamplighter, bearing his ladder and vessel of oil, crossed the road before me.

‘I mean to pursue you, little minx!’ he barked. ‘You are in my debt and I intend to reap the rewards of my endeavour.’

At that I began to run, skidding and sliding upon the grimy cobbles.

‘See how grand you are now, Lady Allenham!’ he called as I stumbled.