Germain hastened to open the windows which were all provided with vast balconies. Blanche advanced, and could not restrain an exclamation of pleasure on perceiving a lake which bathed the walls of that part of the chateau in which her apartments were situated. The lake extended into the middle of a wide meadow, and finally lost itself in some rocks, where the water fell in a cascade into an immense basin. On the right of the meadows one could see woods and shrubberies, and on the other side the view extended itself, far and wide, over a country dotted with hills which afforded a charming landscape. "Oh, how charming it is," cried Blanche, "what a beautiful view!" "Mademoiselle can hardly have an idea of what the view is when the fields are covered with verdure." "But I should like very much to walk in all these places which I see, to run in those meadows and to go on that lake, whose waters bathe these walls and seem to me so pure." "That is very easy, mademoiselle, for the park belonging to this chateau extends as far as you can see. When you wish to visit the gardens, run about the park, or boat on the lake, I will hasten to attend you." "What! does all that I see belong to Urbain?" "Yes, mademoiselle, all that pertains to the chateau." Each word of Germain augmented Blanche's surprise. She could not conceive that her beloved could have deceived her so far. However, she had not the least suspicion of the treason of which she was the victim. The servant pulled the bell and a young country woman came into the room and awkwardly curtseyed to Blanche, who returned her salutation with good will. "Mademoiselle, this young girl is at your orders. She will serve you as chambermaid if you are willing to accept her services." "Oh, I can do everything for myself very well; I do not need anybody, I thank you." "In any case, Marie will come as soon as you ring. Mademoiselle must need rest after the fatigue of the journey; we will retire." "Yes, since he will not come until evening I will try to sleep a little. The time will seem shorter." Germain made a sign to Marie, who after having made two other curtseys, left, followed by the marquis' valet. Left alone in her new apartment, Blanche glanced around her with surprise. All that had happened to her since the evening before seemed like a dream. She paused before the furniture, the mirrors, and murmured, sighing,-- "All this belongs to him, but why this mystery? He feared, perhaps, to be loved only for his fortune. Ah, dear Urbain, it is you only whom I love, and I should very quickly leave this fine chateau if it were necessary for me to dwell in it without you. But we shall be very happy here together, although it will be rather large for us two." Fatigued by her journey, Blanche threw herself upon the bed. Soon slumber closed her eyes, she rested tranquilly, believing that she was under Urbain's roof.