"I would have accompanied you the more willingly, madame." said Henri; "because I fear that you may be annoyed by the prince's people."—"How so?"
"Yes; I believe that he knows there is a lady here, and he thinks that she is a friend of mine."
"And what makes you think so?"
"Our young ensign saw him place a ladder against this window and look in."
"Oh!" cried Diana; "mon Dieu! mon Dieu!"
"Reassure yourself, madame! he heard him say that he did not know you. Besides, the duke is going to set off at once—in a quarter of an hour you will be alone and free. Permit me to salute you with respect, and to tell you once more, that till my last sigh, my heart will beat for you and with you. Adieu, madame, adieu." And the comte, bowing, took two steps back.
"No, no!" cried Diana, wildly, "no, God cannot have done this! He cannot have brought this man to life again; no, monsieur, you must be wrong, he is dead."
At this moment, as if in reply, the duke's voice was heard calling from below:
"Comte, we are waiting for you."
"You hear him, madame," said Henri. "For the last time, adieu."