Madame stopped.
"You see that you can hear," said Athenais.
"How ?" "Listen." Madame held her breath; and, in fact, the following words pronounced by a gentle and melancholy voice, floated towards them: "I tell you, vicomte, I tell you I love her madly; I tell you I love her to distraction." Madame started at the voice; and, beneath her hood, a bright joyous smile illumined her features.

It was she who now held back her companion, and with a light step leading her some twenty paces away, that is to say, out of the reach of the voice, she said, "Remain here, my dear Athenais, and let no one surprise us.

I think it must be you they are conversing about." "Me, Madame ?" "Yes, you--or rather your adventure.

I will go and listen; if we were both there, we should be discovered.

Or, stay!--go and fetch Montalais, and then return and wait for me with her at the entrance of the forest." And then, as Athenais hesitated, she again said "Go!" in a voice which did not admit of reply.