The marquis came to see his young captive, and perceived that she had not touched his presents. "Do you disdain that which I am so happy to offer you?" said he to Blanche. "I don't wish for any of those things," answered she, sighing. "I do not need all of these ornaments in order to please Urbain. What would he say if he saw me in them?" "Still thinking of Urbain? Have I not told you, mademoiselle, that you will not see him again?" "Yes, but I don't think you're so wicked as you wish to appear. How would it help you always to vex me so?" "Blanche, have you not confessed that you were not far from loving me?" "Yes, and I still feel the same. With Urbain and you I should be very happy." "May I not hope by the ardor of my attentions, my love, that I may cause you to forget a first fancy, and that I alone shall occupy your heart?" "You don't understand me, monsieur. I love Urbain as my lover, my husband; and you--I should like--I don't know, it seems to me that I could with pleasure call you my brother--or my father." This confession did not entirely satisfy Villebelle, but he hoped everything from time and the constancy of his attentions. Towards evening Blanche again went into the park, and as on the previous evening the marquis joined her. He walked near her, feeling his love increase every moment. The marquis could not recognize himself. This libertine, this seducer, who had triumphed over the most rebellious beauties, had become timid and fearful before a child who had no other safeguards than her innocence and her virtue. Twelve days had passed since Blanche had come to the Chateau de Sarcus, and had wrought no change in the situation. Every morning the marquis paid her a visit, but when, yielding to the grief which she experienced on being separated from him she loved, the sweet child allowed her tears to flow, the marquis left her abruptly. In the evening they walked together in the park, but often in silence or exchanging only a few words. Blanche dreamed of Urbain, and Villebelle, satisfied in being near her, had not yet conceived guilty designs. At the end of this time, a message from Paris apprised the marquis that his uncle was very ill, and desired to see him before he died. Villebelle, the sole heir of this relative, who was very rich, was obliged to go to him, and decided, although with regret, to leave Blanche for some days. He took Germain with him, but the men servants whom he left at the chateau had received their instructions; besides the sad Blanche had no idea of escaping. The marquis judged it better not to forewarn the young girl of his departure; and he left the chateau more in love than ever, and vowing to hasten his return. CHAPTER IX THE MEETING. PROJECTS OF REVENGE. We left our disconsolate young lover at the moment when he was about to seat himself upon a huge stone, and was arrested in the act of doing so by an exclamation uttered by an unseen man.