One morning toward the end of November, after a successful expedition, the result of which was a fine trout of enormous size, Bruno was returning home by way of a secluded path through the woods, dreaming of his love for Catherine, when he met the object of his thoughts face to face.
The gamekeeper’s wife involuntarily stopped. Bruno’s face changed color. At this moment Jacques Percier made his appearance. He quickly passed by, but just as he was about to disappear behind a hedge of walnut trees he turned and saw the gamekeeper’s wife still standing in front of Bruno. Knowing Bruno’s mad infatuation for Catherine, Jacques fancied he had stumbled upon a rendezvous, and the stupid fellow hid himself behind the trees to watch proceedings.
Catherine approached closer to Bruno.
“You are a brave defender,” said she, referring to his action on the day of Suzanne’s wedding.
“No, Madame—oh, no. It was nothing. Why do you say that?”
“You know perfectly well, Bruno,” she replied. “Ah, if you had only told me your sentiments before my marriage.”
Bruno tremblingly whispered: “Do not speak like that, Catherine, for we know not what may happen.”
“And why shouldn’t I say it? I express a regret. If I only had known then what I know now.”
“Ah, then you know——”
“I know that you were exposed to death for my sake that day.”