But wisdom is often the fruit of experience, and Bathilde had had none. She opened Léodgard's letter with a trembling hand, and eagerly read these words: "CHARMING BATHILDE: "Need I tell you that I love you, that from the moment I first saw you your cherished image has not gone from my memory and my heart? You must know who I am: your friend Ambroisine called me by name before you, but she has slandered me if she has told you that I am incapable of keeping my faith. "I shall love you always, Bathilde; because my love is sincere, because you are the first woman who ever caused me to know a genuine passion. "You will say, perhaps, that too great a distance separates us, that my name, my rank, keep us apart.--But only tell me that you love me a little, and I will find a way to remove all obstacles. What does it matter to me in what station of life you were born? In my eyes, you are far above the _grandes dames_ of the court. "My fortune, my name--I lay everything at your feet! Yes, before God, I swear to take you for my wife! "But come to your balcony, do not fly at night when I come near; and, in pity's name, grant a few moments' interview to one who will die if you refuse to love him. "LÉODGARD DE MARVEJOLS." Such a loving, ardent note was certain to make great ravages in an inexperienced heart, in a heart which was conscious of a craving to love. Love travels fast when it follows an unbeaten path. Moreover, a secret sympathy drew the girl on; she too loved Léodgard. Only an instant, a single glance, was necessary for that. Bathilde read and reread and read again the young count's letter; she held it in her hand when she went to bed, she kept it against her heart all night. Ah! a first love letter is such a priceless treasure! A woman may receive many of them in the course of her life, but the others are never worth so much as that one. The next morning Bathilde knew the letter by heart, and she said to herself every instant: "He loves me! he will always love me! I am the first woman whom he has ever really loved! My birth is no obstacle, he says; in that case, he will ask my parents for my hand, and will marry me. What joy! how happy I shall be! Not because I shall be a countess; what do I care for that? But I shall be his wife! and I shall be able, in my turn, to tell him that I love him!--But then, I must go out on the balcony to-night and speak to him. Suppose I consult my father first, and show him this letter? But perhaps he would scold me for receiving it and reading it without his permission!" Bathilde was in dire perplexity, not knowing what she ought to do. But her heart was bursting with joy and happiness because she knew that Léodgard loved her. She was still hesitating about going to her window, when Ambroisine suddenly appeared.