The style of their mantles, their graceful figures, a mysterious yet haughty carriage which distinguished them both, especially the one who walked first, struck the chevalier.
"I certainly know those two," he said to himself, pausing upon the top step of the small staircase.

Then, as with the instinct of a bloodhound he was about to follow them, one of the servants who had been running after him arrested his attention.
"Monsieur," he said, "the courier has arrived." "Very well," said the chevalier, "there is time enough; to-morrow will do." "There are some urgent letters which you would be glad to see, perhaps." "Where from ?" inquired the chevalier.
"One from England, and the other from Calais; the latter arrived by express, and seems of great importance." "From Calais! Who the deuce can have to write to me from Calais ?" "I think I recognize the handwriting of Monsieur le Comte de Wardes." "Oh!" cried the chevalier, forgetting his intention of acting the spy, "in that case I will come up at once." This he did, while the two unknown beings disappeared at the end of the court opposite to the one by which they had just entered.

We shall now follow them, and leave the chevalier undisturbed to his correspondence.

When they had arrived at the grove of trees, the foremost of the two halted, somewhat out of breath, and, cautiously raising her hood, said, "Are we still far from the tree ?" "Yes, Madame, more than five hundred paces; but pray rest awhile, you will not be able to walk much longer at this rate." "You are right," said the princes, for it was she; and she leaned against a tree.

"And now," she resumed, after having recovered her breath, "tell me the whole truth, and conceal nothing from me." "Oh, Madame," cried the young girl, "you are already angry with me." "No, my dear Athenais, reassure yourself, I am in no way angry with you.
After all, these things do not concern me personally.