“Pardon, my good friends, for disturbing you,” said she, “but we must go in if we do not wish to be sent for. M. le Comte, regain, if you please, your excellent horse, and let us go to the house. See what you lose by your obstinacy, M. de Bussy, a dinner at the château, which is not to be despised by a man who has had a long ride, and has been climbing trees, without counting all the amusement we could have had, or the glances that might have passed. Come, Diana, come away.” Bussy looked at the two friends with a smile. Diana held out her hand to him. “Is that all?” said he; “have you nothing to say?” “Till to-morrow,” replied she. “Only to-morrow.” “To-morrow, and always.” Bussy uttered a joyful exclamation, pressed his lips to her hand, and ran off. Diana watched him till he was out of sight. “Now!” said Jeanne, when he had disappeared, “will you talk to me a little?” “Oh! yes.” “Well! to-morrow I shall go to the chase with St. Luc and your father.” “What, you will leave me alone at the château!” “Listen, dear friend; I also have my principles, and there are certain things that I cannot consent to do.” “Oh, Jeanne!” cried Diana, growing pale, “can you say such things to me?” “Yes, I cannot continue thus.” “I thought you loved me, Jeanne. What cannot you continue?” “Continue to prevent two poor lovers from talking to each other at their ease.” Diana seized in her arms the laughing young woman. “Listen!” said Jeanne, “there are the hunters calling us, and poor St. Luc is impatient.” CHAPTER LV. HOW BUSSY WAS OFFERED THREE HUNDRED PISTOLES FOR HIS HORSE, AND PARTED WITH HIM FOR NOTHING. The next day, Bussy left Angers before the most wakeful bourgeois had had their breakfast. He flew along the road, and Diana, mounted on a terrace in front of the castle, saw him coming, and went to meet him. The sun had scarcely risen over the great oaks, and the grass was still wet with dew, when she heard from afar, as she went along, the horn of St. Luc, which Jeanne incited him to sound. She arrived at the meeting-place just as Bussy appeared on the wall. The day passed like an hour. What had they to say? That they loved each other. What had they to wish for? They were together. “Diana,” said Bussy at length, “it seems to me as though my life had begun only to-day. You have shown me what it is to live.” “And I,” replied she, “who not long ago would have willingly thrown myself into the arms of death, would now tremble to die and lose your love. But why do you not come to the castle? My father would be glad to see you, and M. de St. Luc is your friend.” “Alas, Diana, if I came once, I should be always there; all the province would know it, and if it came to the ears of that ogre, your husband, he would hasten here. You forbid me to deliver you from him----” “Oh, yes!”