"Adieu and _au revoir_!" said Colombe, putting her hand to her lover's lips with a furtive, graceful gesture. The governess approached them. "Well, my child," she said to Colombe, "have you given the delinquent a good scolding, and selected your jewels?" "Take this, Dame Perrine," said Ascanio, putting the box of trinkets in the good woman's hands still unopened; "Mademoiselle Colombe and I have decided that you shall yourself choose whatever suits you best, and I will come again to-morrow for the others." With that he ran off with his joy, darting a farewell glance at Colombe, which told her all that he had to tell. Colombe sat with her hands folded upon her breast as if to confine the happiness it contained,--while Dame Perrine was making her choice among the marvels brought by Ascanio. Alas! the poor child was very soon and very cruelly awakened from her sweet dreams. A woman appeared, escorted by one of the provost's men. "Monseigneur le Comte d'Orbec, who is to return day after to-morrow," said this woman, "places me at madame's service from to-day. I am familiar with the newest and prettiest styles, and I am commanded by Monsieur le Comte and Messire le Prévôt to make for madame a magnificent brocade gown, as Madame la Duchesse d'Etampes is to present madame to the queen on the day of her Majesty's departure for Saint-Germain, four days hence." After the scene we have described, the reader may imagine the despairing effect of this twofold news upon Colombe. XIX LOVE AS AN IDEA The next morning at daybreak Ascanio, resolved to place his destiny in his master's hands at once, repaired to the foundry where Cellini worked every morning. But as he was about to knock at the door of what the master called his cell, he heard Scozzone's voice. He supposed that she was posing, and he discreetly withdrew, to return a little later. Meanwhile he walked about the gardens of the Grand-Nesle, reflecting upon what he should say to Cellini, and what Cellini would probably say to him. But Scozzone was not posing,--far from it. She had never before set foot in the cell, to which no one, to her great disappointment, was ever admitted. So it was that the master's wrath was terrible to behold, when, happening to turn his head, he saw Catherine behind him, with her great eyes open wider than ever. The imprudent damsel's desire to see found little to gratify it, after all. A few drawings upon the walls, a green curtain before the window, a statue of Hebe begun, and a collection of sculptor's utensils, comprised the whole contents of the room. "What do you want, little serpent? Why have you come here? In God's name will you follow me to hell?" cried Benvenuto at sight of Catherine. "Alas! master," said Scozzone, in her softest voice, "I assure you I am not a serpent. I confess that rather than part from you I would joyfully follow you to hell if necessary, and I come here because it is the only place where I can speak to you in secret."