"That is only a little folly," she answered, laughing. "Whether
you be rich or poor, prince or peasant, she cares not a snap of her
finger. Ciel! is she not a republican, has she not money enough?"

"Nevertheless, I beg you to say, in your letter, that I have
nothing but my sword and my honor."

As we rode along I noted in my book the place and time we were to
meet the captives. The marquis joined us at the Hermitage, where a
stable-boy watered our horses. Three servants were still there,
the others being now in the count's service.

If any place give me a day's happiness it is dear to me, and the
where I find love is forever sacred. I like to stand where I stood
thinking of it, and there I see that those dear moments are as much
a part of me as of history. So while Therese and the marquis got
off their horses for a little parley with the gardener, I cantered
up the north trail to where I sat awhile that delightful summer day
with Louise. The grotto had now a lattice roofing of bare
branches. Leaves, as red as her blush, as golden as my memories,
came rattling through it, falling with a faint rustle. The big
woods were as a gloomy and deserted mansion, with the lonely cry of
the wind above and a ghostly rustle within where had been love and
song and laughter and all delight.




XIX