"
"They are going ... alone?"
"Certainly. No one else is awake, but they may be going to meet their
lovers."
"Why did you come to tell me yourself, instead of sending my man?"
"Because he is a lazy fellow who would have taken an hour to dress and
then would have told a lie and said I told him too late."
"Very well, run along now, and don't get caught."
So Jeanette sped quickly towards the kitchen to get the hot water in a
great copper can, which she half emptied on the way to ease the
weight.
As soon as they were dressed, Esperance and Genevieve made quick work
of their chocolate, and started out. It was very still.
"It is the Sleeping Beauty's wood," said Esperance.
They went towards the grove they saw on their right. At the entrance
to it Esperance closed her parasol and stopped suddenly, pressing
Genevieve's hand.
"Some one has been here already."
They both stopped motionless, listening. Not a sound. They slowly
continued on their way, but the thicket did not lead to the terrace,
and ended in a little enclosed dell. On a pedestal a figure of _Love
in Chains_ overlooked a stone bench.
"We have lost our way," said Genevieve. "Let us go back."
"No it is charming here. Let us go on to the bench. I am a little
tired and my heart is beating so.... What was that?"
She put her companion's hand above her heart.
"Why what is the matter with you. Why are you so nervous?"
"Ah!" replied Esperance, with great apprehension of she knew not what,
"I feel as if I could not struggle.
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