They distinctly saw the leaves move, without being able to see what it was that stirred them.
"It is a wolf or a wild boar," cried Montalais; "fly! fly!" The three girls, in the extremity of terror, fled by the first path that presented itself, and did not stop until they had reached the verge of the wood.
There, breathless, leaning against each other, feeling their hearts throb wildly, they endeavored to collect their senses, but could only succeed in doing so after the lapse of some minutes.

Perceiving at last the lights from the windows of the chateau, they decided to walk towards them.

La Valliere was exhausted with fatigue, and Aure and Athenais were obliged to support her.
"We have escaped well," said Montalais.
"I am greatly afraid," said La Valliere, "that it was something worse than a wolf.

For my part, and I speak as I think, I should have preferred to have run the risk of being devoured alive by some wild animal than to have been listened to and overheard.

Fool, fool that I am! How could I have thought, how could I have said what I did ?" And saying this her head bowed like the water tossed plume of a bulrush; she felt her limbs fail, and her strength abandoning her, and, gliding almost inanimate from the arms of her companions, sank down upon the turf..