In the path by the stream, where they sat together so often, he waited until old Marguerite should fall asleep. Then Sister Anne was to steal out of the cabin and come for her lover. Frédéric tied his horse to an old ruined hovel, where a woodcutter had once lived, and which he used as a stable. The moon was shining brightly; it was reflected in the limpid water of the brook and made the sparse clearings in the wood as light as day. Frédéric listened intently for his sweetheart's footstep! The time seemed very long; every minute robbed love of a sigh. He tried to look beneath the black firs and distinguish the cabin. At last he heard a faint sound: it was she. He could not see her, but his heart told him that she was near. As light of foot as a fawn, as swift as the hunter's arrow, as beautiful as happiness, the dumb girl sped through the paths of that forest, whose every corner she knew. In an instant, she was beside her lover, who kissed her on the forehead and could not forbear to gaze long and lovingly at her. He was proud of his good fortune; the time and place, the joy that shone on her features, the mystery that surrounded them--all seemed to make Sister Anne lovelier than ever. Her hair, carelessly caught up so that a part of it played about her neck; her shapely figure, which a light gown veiled without concealing; and her eyes, so sweet and so overflowing with love, renewed Frédéric's transports. "Come, come," he said; "lead me!" The girl took his arm and led him through the dense woods. They soon reached and entered the humble cabin, which had become in his eyes the most delicious retreat. He shared Sister Anne's bed; how could he envy those who sleep in palaces? Happy lovers! let us leave them to enjoy their happiness. XIII DUBOURG PLAYS THE GRAND SEIGNEUR ONCE MORE.--NEW ACQUAINTANCES On the day following Frédéric's first absence, Monsieur Ménard, having risen early, burst into Dubourg's chamber, crying with a triumphant air: "I have found it, monsieur le baron; I am certain that I have found it." "Found what?" said Dubourg, who was just awake; "your receipt for keeping eggs fresh?" "No; but what it was that charmed monsieur le comte so yesterday; that wonderful place where he passed the day." "Bah! you say you know where he was?" "Yes! I would stake my head on it!" "Tell me, then." "It was the Château de Bayard, which must be in this neighborhood, in the valley of Grésivaudan." "The Château de Bayard? Faith! it's quite possible; however, we'll ask him at breakfast." But Frédéric did not appear at breakfast. Dubourg summoned one of the servants. "Has our companion gone away already?" "Yes, monsieur, at daybreak; he took the first horse that was ready, and went off at a gallop." "Gone again! and left us here, perhaps for the whole day!" "I am convinced that it's the Château de Bayard that has turned his head."