“Not so loud, monsieur,” she commanded; “do you not see by this mask that I wish to remain unrecognized? Come, let us move away from here. ’Tis not yet time for the rendezvous.”
“Would it were hours away instead of minutes, mademoiselle,” I cried, “if it were permitted me to walk with you here!” and I gave her my arm, vainly endeavoring to put into words the emotion which I felt. Perhaps she understood, for she leaned against me lightly, and I caught the sweet, faint perfume of her hair.
“M. le Duc will be here, will he not?” she asked.
“I trust so, mademoiselle,” I answered. “As I suppose you know, he was released from the Bastille yesterday and ordered to join his regiment at Bayonne. But he assured me that he would be at the fountain at ten o’clock to-night.”
“Then he will be there,” said Mlle. Dacour, lightly. “Do you know, monsieur, I am beginning to believe that you and Richelieu have the power of achieving everything upon which you really set your hearts.”
“Would that I could believe so, mademoiselle!” I cried. “There is one thing above all others upon which I have set my heart. Do you believe I shall achieve that also?”
“How can I tell,” she answered, glancing at me with mischievous eyes, “not knowing what this wonderful something is?”
“But can you not guess, mademoiselle?” I was trembling with joy and apprehension, a trembling which she must have felt, for she quickened her pace.
“Let us postpone the riddle, M. de Brancas,” she said. “’Tis time for us to be at the fountain,” and we turned our steps thither.
I dared say nothing further, for I could not guess what was in her heart and had not the courage to risk a rebuff. The sauntering couples had grown less numerous as the night grew colder. Ah, had they held in their hearts the flame of a love like mine no stress of weather could have driven them apart! As we approached the fountain I saw a proud figure standing near it, which I recognized in an instant.