Elinor's only reply was a cry of surprise. Fortunately for her, all those present broke into an eager discussion of the news. She listened in silence to conjectures each more dismal than the last, and then hastily took her leave. She knew at last that, notwithstanding all her precautions, a man had the power to disturb her happiness and influence the course of her life.
She remained in Paris a month longer, hoping always to obtain reliable information, but as no news came to throw light on the darkness hanging over the fate of Léon, she decided to return to Touraine.
In vain Mme. de Gernancé, who could not understand her low spirits, tried to dissuade her from leaving them, fearing, in her uneasiness about her friend's health, lest loneliness might be prejudicial to her. Elinor departed, carrying with her the anxiety and regret that she could not shake off. The sight of her child only increased her sorrow.
"She has only me now," she said. "He who might one day have taken my place is gone."
She watched the post impatiently, but nearly two months passed, and still no news came of Léon's fate.
[VIII]
She sat one evening in a corner of the park, watching the child at play and musing idly on the man whose image Léonie always called up before her mind.
Presently there reached her ear confused voices, coming from the servants, who seemed to be searching for her.
"Madame must be somewhere in the park with her daughter," she heard one say.