It was warm; the long dusty road stretched from village to village, without shade, a thin line between the fields, now bare of their crops. The sky hung over them like brass, on the horizon banks of motionless clouds rose above the Vosges, throwing out rays of light. The horses, covered with sweat, continued to gallop. Under the scattered walnut-trees, among the stubble, children raised their switches and shouted as the riders passed them. "Is the lieutenant crazy?" thought Hermann; "he is going faster and faster." Farnow's anguish increased as he drew nearer his destination. "If I do not find him," he murmured, "supposing he has----" Obernai was passed on the right. A sign-post at the cross roads pointed to Alsheim, and soon the blue roof of the Oberlés' house appeared among the green. "Lucienne, Lucienne, Lucienne!" The house seemed to slumber in the heavy heat of the autumn day, the silence being broken only by a feeble, monotonous voice. Seated near grandfather Oberlé's chair, in the room which the invalid could never hope to leave, Madame Oberlé was reading aloud the _Journal d'Alsace_, which the postman had just delivered. Through the open window her voice could be heard murmuring as though engaged in the rhythmic recital of the rosary. In the billiard-room above, that which was still called Jean's room, M. Joseph Oberlé was dozing behind the curtain, on his knees lay several letters, and a copy of the _Strasburger Post_. At the end of the room Lucienne could be seen writing at a Louis XVI. desk. "Monsieur? Monsieur Oberlé?" Joseph Oberlé jumped up and threw open the door, which was ajar, meeting the concierge running towards him. "Why do you call me; you know I don't like----" He remained speaking with the man for a minute, and returned smiling. "My Lucienne, Herr von Farnow is waiting for you at the park gate." She rose, blushing. "Why doesn't he come in?" "It appears that he is on horseback, and in a great hurry. Perhaps he dares not. Go and fetch him, my darling; tell him from me that there shall be no disturbance, that I will prevent any further scenes." With a gesture he implied that he would bolt all the doors sooner, especially that of the room whence came the monotonous voice reading the paper. She looked in the glass, arranging her hair. He repeated: "Run, my treasure; he is asking for you. If you don't return quickly I'll come for you." She nodded, and ran down the steps two at a time. She walked rapidly down the avenue, happy, yet troubled, her mouth slightly open, her eyes seeking Farnow. At the end of the avenue she caught sight of the two steaming horses on the road held by the orderly, and almost at the same moment the lieutenant came towards her. Farnow's usually pale face was flushed, his expression troubled; he hastened, but with no sign of joy, towards Lucienne, who came half running to meet him, trying to laugh. "How are you, Wilhelm? What a nice surprise!"