On the morrow I would go.
As I was on the point of returning indoors with the foils under my arm,
Andrea called me back.
"Gaston, I have something of importance to say to you. Will you take a
turn with me down yonder by the river?"
There was a serious, almost nervous look on his comely face, which arrested
my attention. I dropped the foils, and taking his arm I went with him as
he bade me. We seated ourselves on the grass by the edge of the gurgling
waters, and he began:
"It is now two months since we came to Blois: I, to pay my court to the
wealthy Mademoiselle de Canaples; you, to watch over and protect me--nay,
you need not interrupt me. Michelot has told me what St. Auban sought
here, and the true motives of your journey to St. Sulpice. Never shall I
be able to sufficiently prove my gratitude to you, my poor Gaston. But
tell me, dear friend, you who from the outset saw how matters stood, why
did you not inform St. Auban that he had no cause to hunt me down since I
intended not to come between him and Yvonne?"
"Mon Dieu!" I exclaimed, "that little fair-haired coquette has--"
"Gaston," he interrupted, "you go too fast.
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