Before turning into the walk that led round by the pool, Giraud stopped a minute to get another glimpse of Denyse, who, in her light dress, looked like a white spot against the dark background of the trees. He could hear that she was still crying.
"Is that you, Bijou?" asked Jean de Blaye, coming forward in the thick darkness.
"Who is it?" asked the young girl, drawing herself up.
"It is I—Jean! Why, do you mean to say that you won't even do me the honour of recognising my voice. What are you doing out here in this pitch darkness?"
"I am taking a stroll."
"All alone?"
"I came out to join the Dubuissons, but I thought afterwards that it was better not to disturb them, and so I came here all alone."
"It must be quite a change for you to be alone, isn't it? And what in the world do you do when you are all by yourself?"
"I think."