"Oh, no!" Doña Rosario said, with a playful pout, "You will not leave us, my friend; are you not the dearly beloved brother of my Louis? Oh, we will not let you go!"
Valentine kissed the hand extended to him, and secretly wiped away a tear, but he made no reply.
The day passed away rapidly and happily for all; when night was come—
"Farewell, brother!" said Valentine, with deep emotion. "Thank Heaven, you are henceforth sheltered from all misfortune."
The count looked at him anxiously.
"Brother," he said, "are you unhappy?"
"Who, I?" said Valentine, endeavouring to smile, "I never was so happy in my life!"
After embracing the count, who gave way to him, though astonished at the sudden appearance of grief in such a man, he strode away. Louis watched him depart, saying to himself—
"What can be the matter with him? Oh, tomorrow he shall explain himself!"
But on the morrow Valentine had disappeared.