Giraud led the way at once, only too happy to go out for a stroll on this beautiful starry night. When they were near the terrace, she stopped suddenly.
"Perhaps we shall be de trop," she said; "they may be talking of private affairs. Let us go to the chestnut avenue, and they'll come to us if they want to."
She descended the marble steps, and they were soon in the dark avenue, under the thick chestnut trees. The young man had followed her, his heart beating with excitement, almost beside himself with joy. They walked along for some little time without speaking, and then at last Bijou looked up, trying to catch a glimpse of the sky between the branches of the trees.
"We shall not see much of the shooting stars here," she said.
"Oh, yes," answered Giraud, who did not want to leave this shady walk, where he had Bijou all to himself, "we can see them all the same. Look, there's one, did you see it?"
"Not distinctly, and not long enough to be able to wish anything."
"To wish anything? but what?"
"Oh! anything. Why! do you mean to say you did not know that when you see a shooting star you ought to wish something?"
"No, I did not know. And does your wish get fulfilled?"
"They say so."