Marie Josephine ran and ran until she could run no more. At last she sank down in the shadow of a newly-budded oak, breathing hard, her bundle at her side. As she sat there she heard a sound which surprised her, a sound of swiftly running steps which might almost have been an echo of her own! She shrank back farther in the shadow. Some one was running toward her through a dark side path of a meadow close to the road. She stood up, took a step forward, and cried, “Jean!”
He sank down under the tree and for several seconds could do nothing but pant painfully. At last he took one deep, long breath and spoke.
“I almost lost you. You led me such a dance! You ran as though you had lightning in your shoes. I even called to you and begged you to wait, but you did not hear!”
Marie Josephine was so glad to see him that she could not speak. Finally she said:
“You came; but how did you know?”
“I just thought it was to-night from the way you spoke when we sat there on the doorstep. I knew that, because of Petite Mère, you would never let me come with you, but I’ve come, I’ve come. I’ve never been anywhere at all, and now I’m going with you. I’m going to take care of you! We’ve come a long way and we can’t go back! I watched for you by the terrace. I crept out when I heard Petite Mère snoring. Then when I saw you, I followed you. I hid behind the hedge while you talked with Grigge. Name of a name, but he was dumb with surprise. I ran near you along the meadow, but you went so fast and I stumbled twice and fell. I’m going with you. You can’t stop me. I’m going all the way!”
Marie Josephine jumped up and took his hand. She was so glad that he had come that the tears brimmed over and rolled down her cheeks.
“It’s naughty, it’s awful—it’s wonderful! Oh, I’m so glad you’ve come. We must not waste another second here. We must not rest at all until daylight.”
They started to walk at a swift pace, holding hands, the bundle flopping over Jean’s shoulder. All about them was the sweetness and mystery of the night, and before them, the lure of adventure!