They set off by boat, and arrived at night-fall at a hotel. After dinner, they went out to ride in the forest in the lovely moonlight. They hired horses and a guide, who soon wearied them by his boastful loquacity. They had ridden about two leagues when they came to the foot of a cliff with which Laurent was familiar. He proposed to dismiss the horses and the guide, and to return on foot, even if it were a little late. "I am sure," said Thérèse, "I don't know why we should not pass the whole night in the forest. There are no wolves or thieves here. Let us stay as long as you choose, and never go back, if you say so." They were left alone; and thereupon a strange, almost impossible scene occurred, which we must describe just as it happened. They had climbed to the top of the cliff, and were sitting on the thick moss, which was burned and withered by the intense heat. Laurent was gazing at the magnificent spectacle of the sky, where the moon dimmed the brilliancy of the stars. Only two or three of the largest could be distinguished in the zenith. Laurent, lying on his back, gazed at them. "I would like to know," he said, "the name of this one almost over my head; it seems to be looking at me." "That is Vega," said Thérèse. "So you know the names of all the stars, do you, my learned lady?" "Of almost all. It isn't difficult, and in fifteen minutes you shall know as many as I do, if you choose." "No, thanks; I much prefer not to know them; I prefer to give them names of my own." "And you are right." "I prefer to roam at random among those lines up yonder, and arrange combinations of groups according to my own ideas, rather than walk according to the whims of other people. After all, perhaps I am wrong, Thérèse! You prefer the beaten paths, don't you?" "They are softer for tender feet. I haven't seven-league boots like you!" "What sarcasm! you know very well that you are a stronger and better walker than I!" "That is easily understood: it is because I have no wings to fly." "See to it that you don't get hold of any and leave me behind! But let us not talk about parting: that word would make the heavens weep!" "What! who has any idea of such a thing? Don't say that ghastly word again!" "No, no! let's not think of it!" he cried, springing suddenly to his feet. "What's the matter, and where are you going?" she said. "I don't know," he replied. "Ah! by the way----There's an extraordinary echo here, and the last time I came here with little--you don't care to know her name, do you? I enjoyed listening to it here, while she sang on yonder little hillock, just opposite us."