On seeing him approach her first desire was to move in the same
direction; that is to say, to keep the distance at its present measure.
A thousand questions flitted through her brain. She had heard a
sentence which so mystified her that the impulse to flee went as
suddenly as it came. She succeeded in composing her features by the
time he arrived at her side.
"Madame," he said, quietly, "whither were you bound?"
She looked at him blankly. For the life of her she could not tell at
that moment what had been her destination! The situation struck her as
so absurd that she could barely stifle the hysterical laughter which
rushed to her lips.
"I . . . I will return to the château," she finally replied.
"The count was annoying you?" walking beside her.
"Thanks to you, Monsieur, the annoyance is past."
Some ground was gone over in silence. This silence disturbed her far
more than the sound of his voice. It gave him a certain mastery. So
she spoke.
"You said 'Madame'," tentatively.
"Such was the title D'Hérouville applied." And again he became silent.
"Did he tell you my name?" with a sudden and unexpected fierceness.
"No, Madame; he did not speak your name. But he knows it; while I, who
love you honorably and more than my life, I must remain in ignorance.
An expedition is to start soon, Madame, and as I shall join it, my
presence here will no longer afford you annoyance."
"Wherefore this rage, Madame, shining in your beautiful eyes, thinning
your lips, widening your nostrils?"
Madame was in a rage; but not even the promise of salvation would have
forced the cause from her lips. O for Paris, where, lightly and
wittily, she could humble this man! Here wit was stale on the tongue,
and every one went about with a serious purpose. She went on, her chin
tilted, her gaze lofty. The wind tossed her hair, there were phantom
roses on her cheeks which bloomed and withered and bloomed yet again.
Diane, indeed: Diane of the green Aegean sea and the marbles of Athens!
"You need go no farther, Monsieur. It is quite unnecessary, as I know
the way perfectly."
"I prefer to see you safe inside the château," with quiet determination.
Was this the gallant who had attracted her fancy? This was not the way
he had made love in former days. Slyly her eyes revolved in his
direction. His temples were grey! She had not noted this change till
now. Grey; and the face, tanned even in the shaven jaws, was careworn.
There was a gesture which escaped his notice. Why had she been guilty
of the inexcusable madness, the inexplicable folly, of this voyage?
"Madame, this is your door."