"When you leave the Château you must turn to your right and walk to the first thicket. About ten minutes through the thicket and you will come out on the big terrace. That is where they always take the guests and say how beautiful it is!" "Thank you," said Genevieve, "to the right, then the thicket and the terrace. We aren't likely to meet anyone?" "Nobody is abroad but the cats at this hour, and...." Outside the door she made a face like a mischievous child who had just played a trick. Running rapidly across the long corridors, she mounted to the second storey, opened an ante-chamber which led to another room and knocked lightly. The Duke opened the door. "You here, Jeanette! What is it?" "My godfather," she said very low, "the young ladies are getting up now, and I think they are going to walk in the grove to the right of the Château." "They are going ... alone?" "Certainly. No one else is awake, but they may be going to meet their lovers." "Why did you come to tell me yourself, instead of sending my man?" "Because he is a lazy fellow who would have taken an hour to dress and then would have told a lie and said I told him too late." "Very well, run along now, and don't get caught." So Jeanette sped quickly towards the kitchen to get the hot water in a great copper can, which she half emptied on the way to ease the weight. As soon as they were dressed, Esperance and Genevieve made quick work of their chocolate, and started out. It was very still. "It is the Sleeping Beauty's wood," said Esperance. They went towards the grove they saw on their right. At the entrance to it Esperance closed her parasol and stopped suddenly, pressing Genevieve's hand. "Some one has been here already." They both stopped motionless, listening. Not a sound. They slowly continued on their way, but the thicket did not lead to the terrace, and ended in a little enclosed dell. On a pedestal a figure of _Love in Chains_ overlooked a stone bench. "We have lost our way," said Genevieve. "Let us go back." "No it is charming here. Let us go on to the bench. I am a little tired and my heart is beating so.... What was that?" She put her companion's hand above her heart. "Why what is the matter with you. Why are you so nervous?" "Ah!" replied Esperance, with great apprehension of she knew not what, "I feel as if I could not struggle.... The presence in this house of the Duke de Morlay overcomes me. I don't know whether that is love; but at least it tells me that I do not love Albert. Come dear, let us rest a moment." Just then a man stepped out from the thicket and barred their way. The Duke stood before them. Esperance uttered one cry and fell in a faint. The Duke started forward to catch her, but Genevieve repulsed him. "It is a cowardly trick you have played on us, sir. I understand now that we did not lose our way but were duped by your orders."