Perhaps withoutLucia she could not have puzzled it
out so quickly. The mayor-postmaster musthave been more than usually impressive. And
after that to the old tower on the hill I can see from thechâteau. Ah, it will be
like this in America, will it not, Denis? The wind tangled their curls together as
it would if theyhad both been dead. Had he not followed her allthe way from Paris?
America, perhaps, or Ireland, he had relativesthere. For a moment it seemed to Maria
that she was descending intodarkness. Exit, thought thecaptain, I shall now be left
in peace at least for some time. Over the road through the notch in thehill, they
would ride off together, some day, soon.
He was writing a merchant at Marseillesabout a
ship. You must trust me, Maria, I shall find a way. Lucia and I have packed luncheon
and brought it along.
To Lucia what seemed more natural than that madame
should have acavalier. But thenames of the gravestones of her generation had
weathered away.
Doubtless the château was a delight to her. He
rapped on the floor and brought up thelandlord.
Her lips moved andthe tears came into her eyes.
What more did she need than his assurance? Her interest inthe affair became quite
enthusiastic. That tallest footman had carried somenotes for her before to Denis at
Versailles. Suddenly the womenturned and both gazed in the same
direction.
From that moment shefelt herself to be his. The
message was safely delivered, monsieur.
Doubtless the château was a delight to
her.
That would cause talk and might get back to
thechâteau.
She flicked the horse with her whip, half amazed at
her ownsureness and firmness of grasp.
The thought of not making the still painful Royat
drive twice a daywas an immense relief.
That cloud that evennow she felt was just over the
horizon.
The fat man cried out at the grip he received from
the gentlemanunder the cover. But tonight let there be nothing, nothing to spoil
hisdream. Remember after all a week is NOT so long.
Who could tell about the far-off days to
come?
Hehad forgotten to say so, he remembered
now.
Lucia withsurprise and fear in her eyes grasped the
sides of the vehicletighter. I did not know I could be so glad tosee you waving that
evening.