The Mystery of Orcival

Excerpt: "On the bank of the river, among the stumps and flags, was stretched a woman's body. Her long, dishevelled locks lay among the water-shrubs; her dress—of gray silk—was soiled with mire and blood. All the upper part of the body lay in shallow water, and her face had sunk in the mud. "A murder!" muttered Philippe, whose voice trembled. "That's certain," responded Jean, in an indifferent tone. "But who can this woman be? Really one would say, the countess."