"Nobody has arrived at the château?"
"Oh, nobody, I'm sure of that, I have not lost sight of it."
"This evening I shall introduce myself into the park and I hope—"
"I hope that I'm not to introduce myself there."
"No, you are to watch outside."
"Ah, I'm good at watching outside; besides, I have the eyes of a cat, I can see clearly at night."
According to his custom the marquis went to visit Blanche on the day after the scene in the grotto, but she experienced a new dread at sight of him. She recalled how passionately he had folded her in his arms, and despite her innocence she felt a degree of fear as she saw him approach and seat himself at her side. The marquis knew women too well not to perceive the change in Blanche's manner. He tried to read the young girl's eyes, he wished to see again the sweet expression which so charmed him, but Blanche kept her eyes downcast, she trembled, and feared to meet those of the marquis. After a shorter visit than usual Villebelle left Blanche, and went to reflect on the means which he should employ to overcome her resistance. He awaited the evening impatiently, he flattered himself that he should be more fortunate in the gardens in making his peace with his young prisoner; but Blanche listened to a secret voice which told her she was not safe in the park with the marquis, and she did not intend to go there.
It had long been night, and vainly had Villebelle walked up and down the pathways where the young girl walked every evening. He did not meet her.
"She fears me," said he, "however, she does not hate me, she herself has told me so."
On passing before the grotto where they had sat the evening before, the marquis believed that he saw a shadow flit before him. Persuaded that it was Blanche, he ran to seize her. The person whom he pursued paused, turned, and, by the light of the moon, the marquis recognized Julia.