"
I looked out of the window, more interested than ever, across the
undulating grounds to the chateau, with its gloomy background of
foliage.
"I saw him today, in his carriage at Versailles," I said.
"Very natural."
"Then his carriage, and horses, and servants, are at the chateau?"
"The carriage he puts up here, Monsieur, and the servants are hired for
the occasion. There is but one who sleeps at the chateau. Such a life
must be terrifying for Madame the Countess," he replied.
"The old screw!" I thought. "By this torture, he hopes to extract her
diamonds. What a life! What fiends to contend with--jealousy and
extortion!"
The knight having made his speech to himself, cast his eyes once more
upon the enchanter's castle, and heaved a gentle sigh--a sigh of
longing, of resolution, and of love.
What a fool I was! And yet, in the sight of angels, are we any wiser as
we grow older? It seems to me, only, that our illusions change as we go
on; but, still, we are madmen all the same.
"Well, St. Clair," said I, as my servant entered, and began to arrange
my things.
"You have got a bed?"
"In the cock-loft, Monsieur, among the spiders, and, _par ma foi_!
the cats and the owls. But we agree very well. _Vive la bagatelle_!"
"I had no idea it was so full.
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