The prince passed one of his hands across his forehead, wiped away the perspiration which had gathered there, and swallowed the piece that he had bitten.
This perspiration was most probably the symptom of a sudden indisposition; for while Diana ate the other half of the peach, the prince let fall on his plate what remained of the portion he had taken, and with difficulty rising from his seat, seemed to invite his beautiful companion to accompany him into the garden in order to enjoy the cool night air.
Diana rose, and without pronouncing a single word, took the duke's arm, which he offered her.
Remy gazed after them, particularly after the prince, whom the air seemed completely to revive.
As she walked along, Diana wiped the small blade of her knife on a handkerchief embroidered with gold, and restored it to its shagreen sheath.
In this manner they approached the clump of trees where Henri was concealed.
The prince, with a passionate gesture, pressed his companion's arm against his heart.
"I feel better," he said, "and yet I hardly know what heavy weight seems to press down on my brain; I love too deeply, madame, I perceive."
Diana plucked several sprigs of jasmine and of clematis, and two beautiful roses which bordered the whole of one side of the pedestal of the statue behind which Henri was shrinking terrified.
"What are you doing, madame?" inquired the prince.