"Don Louis!" she exclaimed.
She had recognized him. The young man sank on his knees at the entrance of the arbour.
"Oh!" he cried, in a voice trembling with emotion, and with an accent of the most earnest entreaty, "for pity's sake, remain, madam!"
"Don Louis!" she repeated, already recovered, and feigning the most perfect indifference. Young girls, even the purest, possess in a high degree the talent of concealing their feelings, and of deceiving persons with regard to the emotions they really experience.
"Yes, it is I, madam," he continued, with an accent of the most respectful passion; "I, who, to see you again, have abandoned everything!"
The young lady displayed some slight surprise.
"For Heaven's sake!" he resumed, "allow me once more, if but for an instant, to contemplate your adored features! Oh!" he added, with a look of deep affection, "my heart had told me you were here, before my eyes had perceived you."
"Caballero," she said, in a tremulous voice, "I do not understand you."
"Oh, fear nothing from me, madam!" he interrupted her vehemently; "my respect for you is as profound as——
"Pray, caballero," she said, earnestly, "rise; if anyone should surprise you thus!"