Ay, truly enough, it was because in my heart I had dared to hold a
sentiment of love for her, the purest--nay, the only pure--thing my heart
had held for many a year, that I would set nothing vile to keep company
with that sentiment; that until my sun should set--and already it dropped
swiftly towards life's horizon--my actions should be the actions of such a
man as might win Yvonne's affections.
But let that be. This idle restrospective mood can interest you but
little; nor can you profit from it, unless, indeed, it be by noting how
holy and cleansing to the heart of man is the love--albeit unrequited--that
he bears a good woman.
As we drew near Meung--where we lay on that first night of our journey--a
light travelling chaise, going in the same direction, passed us at a
gallop. As it flashed by, I caught a glimpse of Eug?ne de Canaples's swart
face through the window. Whether the recognition was mutual I cannot say--
nor does it signify.
When we reached the H?tel de la Couronne, half an hour later, we saw that
same chaise disappearing round a corner of the street, whilst through the
porte-coch?re the hostler was leading a pair of horses, foam-flecked and
steaming with sweat.
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