"Oh, thanks for such thoughtful consideration," said Gabriel; "but you know that I must depart in a very few moments—"
"André knows my purpose," said Diane. "Oh, if you knew how proud he is to be in your service. He must be all ready now, and I have only a few last instructions to give him. If you go now and take your leave of the good Peuquoys, André will be with you before you quit Calais."
"I will take him with very great pleasure," said Gabriel; "I shall at least have some one with whom I can sometimes converse about you."
"I thought of that," said Madame de Castro, with a slight blush. "But now, adieu," she said earnestly; "we must say adieu."
"Oh, not 'adieu,'" replied Gabriel; "not that sad word which means a long separation; not 'adieu,' but au revoir!"
"Alas!" said Diane, "when and under what circumstances shall we meet again! If the riddle of our destiny be solved contrary to our wishes, will it not be better that we should never see each other more?"
"Oh, don't say so, Diane!" cried Gabriel; "don't say so! Besides, who but myself can inform you of the result, whether it be disastrous or happy?"
"Ah, Dieu!" Diane replied with a shudder, "it seems to me as if, whether it were happy or disastrous, I should die of joy or grief simply upon hearing your lips speak the words."
"But how shall I let you know?" asked Gabriel.
"Wait one moment," replied Diane.