Farewell, Mademoiselle de la Valliere, farewell." And he fled, like one possessed, along the banks of the lake.

His dark shadow glided, lengthening as it disappeared, among the illumined yews and glittering undulations of the water.

La Valliere looked after him, saying,--"Yes, yes, he, too, is suffering, and I begin to understand why." She had hardly finished when her companions, Mademoiselle de Montalais and Mademoiselle de Tonnay-Charente, ran forward.

They were released from their attendance, and had changed their costumes of nymphs; delighted with the beautiful night, and the success of the evening, they returned to look after their companion.
"What, already here!" they said to her.

"We thought we should be first at the rendezvous." "I have been here this quarter of an hour," replied La Valliere.
"Did not the dancing amuse you ?" "No." "But surely the enchanting spectacle ?" "No more than the dancing.