"No, monsieur, my mind is made up; this will teach you not to entertain in your château people who behave in this way."
Cornélie took a candle, and, turning a deaf ear to her husband’s remonstrances, went to her sister’s room. The marquis approved his daughter’s conduct. Jeannette, who had risen from her couch, went away with the other servants.
"You would have it so!" said Alfred to Robineau, who, being left alone in the bridal chamber, went to bed, saying to himself:
"After all, perhaps it’s better that it should be so for to-night."
XXVI
A NOCTURNAL VISIT TO THE WHITE HOUSE
To recompense himself for a whole day passed without seeing Isaure, Edouard rose with the dawn; and while everybody was asleep in the château, he was already on his way into the mountains. He had told his friend that he would not come to see her for a day, and the girl had answered affectionately: "I shall think all day long of nothing but the next day."
So he urged his horse, in order to be with her the sooner, for he had no doubt that she shared his impatience.
He reached the little valley at last; he fastened his horse and walked toward the cottage. He was surprised to find that Isaure was not at her window to watch for him; it was her habit to sit there every morning; and after a day of separation, should she not desire to see him even sooner?
He knocked at the cottage door; Vaillant barked and soon the door was opened. Isaure appeared before her lover, but she did not rush into his arms; pleasure and love no longer seemed to animate her, and instead of receiving him with the sweet smile to which he was accustomed, she lowered her eyes, as she said sadly:
"Is it you?"