We Compare Notes

           Wefollowedthecortegewithoureyesuntilitwasswiftlylosttosightinthemistywood;andtheverysoundofthehoofsandthewheelsdiedawayinthesilentnightair.

           Nothingremainedtoassureusthattheadventurehadnotbeenanillusionofamomentbuttheyounglady,whojustatthatmomentopenedhereyes.Icouldnotsee,forherfacewasturnedfromme,butsheraisedherhead,evidentlylookingabouther,andIheardaverysweetvoiceaskcomplainingly,"Whereismamma?"

           OurgoodMadamePerrodonansweredtenderly,andaddedsomecomfortableassurances.

           Ithenheardherask:

           "WhereamI?Whatisthisplace?"andafterthatshesaid,"Idon’tseethecarriage;andMatska,whereisshe?"

           Madameansweredallherquestionsinsofarassheunderstoodthem;andgraduallytheyoungladyrememberedhowthemisadventurecameabout,andwasgladtohearthatnoonein,orinattendanceon,thecarriagewashurt;andonlearningthathermammahadleftherhere,tillherreturninaboutthreemonths,shewept.

           IwasgoingtoaddmyconsolationstothoseofMadamePerrodonwhenMademoiselleDeLafontaineplacedherhanduponmyarm,saying:

           "Don’tapproach,oneatatimeisasmuchasshecanatpresentconversewith;averylittleexcitementwouldpossiblyoverpowerhernow."

           Assoonassheiscomfortablyinbed,Ithought,Iwillrunuptoherroomandseeher.

           Myfatherinthemeantimehadsentaservantonhorsebackforthephysician,wholivedabouttwoleaguesaway;andabedroomwasbeingpreparedfortheyounglady’sreception.