Unwilling to play the eavesdropper even for a moment, I tapped gently on the window.
The younger lady uttered a faint cry of alarm, and assumed her mask; but the elder thrust all the papers into her ample bosom, and coming resolutely forward, threw back the rich arras, and her eyes flashed with evident anger, astonishment, and perhaps alarm, when they met my figure immediately outside the window; but, with my broad beaver in my left hand, and my right pressed upon my heart, I bowed with the utmost respect, and muttered a few words, I know not what, by way of apology for my untimely appearance there.
Reassured by my aspect or my respectful bearing, she quickly opened the folding sash of the window, and from the apartment and her presence a sense of perfume floated round me.
'Who are you, monsieur, and what seek you here?' she asked in a charming voice.
'Alas, madame!' said I, feeling that sad sinking of a proud heart, which all but prostrates every energy, for never until then had my utter friendlessness so oppressed me; 'I am an unfortunate gentleman,—a stranger who has lost his way, and knows not in which direction to turn.'
'This is the Château d'Amboise; the way to Paris lies yonder,—straight across the lawn you will find the high-road, and then pursue it to your left.'
'Thanks, madame—
'I have the honour to wish you a good night, monsieur.'
'Stay, madame, and pardon me—' I paused and cast down my eyes.
'Speak—what would you say?'