Then she took a bypath and went out of sight. I returned to the
mansion as deep in love as a man could be. I went to dinner with
the rest that evening. Louison came in after we were all seated.

"You are late, my dear," said the baroness.

"Yes; I went away walking and lost something, and was not able to
find it again."




IX

Next morning the baroness went away in her glittering caleche with
Louison. Each shining spoke and golden turret flashed the sunlight
back at me as I looked after them at the edge of the wood. The
baroness had asked me to go with her, but I thought the journey too
long. Louise came out and sat by me awhile as I lay in the
hammock. She was all in white. A trifle taller and a bit more
slender than her sister, I have sometimes thought her beauty was
statelier, also, and more statuesque. The sight of her seemed to
kindle in me the spirit of old chivalry. I would have fought and
died for her with my best lance and plume. In all my life I had
not seen a woman of sweeter graces of speech and manner, and, in
truth, I have met some of the best born of her sex.

She had callers presently--the Sieur Michel and his daughter. I
went away, then, for a walk, and, after a time, strolled into the
north trail. Crossing a mossy glade, in a circle of fragrant