Perhaps in the land of the King of Thule.
If I am not more definite every one will think it was in Savoy!
One evening about five o’clock as I came in from the chase, a hare in my game bag, a fine fatigue in my legs and my stomach empty down to my heels, I found an urchin awaiting me at Sylve. He was the bearer of a pressing letter from Mme. Mairieux, begging me to dine with her on the sudden and unannounced arrival of her son-in-law. Between Sylve Benite and the Maiden of the Wood there are two good leagues. In case of need one can cover three-quarters of the distance on the bicycle by a bad road, which shakes one to pieces, and I should greatly have preferred to be spared such a night march, and remain peacefully in my lair, where the soup was already simmering over the fire. But an inexplicable impulse of curiosity or vanity urged me to visit Raymond Cernay—the victor of Bethany.
“Very well, I will go,” said I to the small messenger. “Go on ahead. I will change my clothes and overtake you with my machine.”
He smiled with a knowing air, for he was riding an old nag which it might not be easy to distance. In fact, I did not see him again. When I descended the avenue the chateau with its cloister was half buried in obscurity, lighted at but a single window. I rang at the lodge: which on the other hand was resplendent with light. I had put on my most elegant hunting suit, but I regretted the lack of formality when I saw Mme. Mairieux in great pomp of toilette and her husband ill at ease in a frock coat which he must have exhumed with difficulty from the wardrobe in which it had been buried. I was beginning to dread M. Cernay’s dinner coat, when I was informed with no little embarrassment that he would not be of the party.
“He begs you to excuse him,” explained Mme. Mairieux. “An indisposition. The long journey—”
The steward, more sincere, came out with the truth:
“He desires to be alone. He always shuts himself up thus the first few days. I told my wife how it would be.”
“And your granddaughter,” I asked. “Will she hide again?”
“Dilette? She was here just now. She ran away when she saw you. She was afraid of you. Faces frighten her, but danger, never.”