Chapter 8

           Sheaskedherselfasshewalkedalong,"WhatamIgoingtosay?HowshallIbegin?"Andasshewentonsherecognisedthethickets,thetrees,thesea-rushesonthehill,thechateauyonder.Allthesensationsofherfirsttendernesscamebacktoher,andherpoorachingheartopenedoutamorously.Awarmwindblewinherface;themeltingsnowfelldropbydropfromthebudstothegrass.

           Sheentered,assheusedto,throughthesmallpark-gate.Shereachedtheavenueborderedbyadoublerowofdenselime-trees.Theywereswayingtheirlongwhisperingbranchestoandfro.Thedogsintheirkennelsallbarked,andthenoiseoftheirvoicesresounded,butbroughtoutnoone.

           Shewentupthelargestraightstaircasewithwoodenbalustersthatledtothecorridorpavedwithdustyflags,intowhichseveraldoorsinarowopened,asinamonasteryoraninn.Hiswasatthetop,rightattheend,ontheleft.Whensheplacedherfingersonthelockherstrengthsuddenlydesertedher.Shewasafraid,almostwishedhewouldnotbethere,thoughthiswasheronlyhope,herlastchanceofsalvation.Shecollectedherthoughtsforonemoment,and,strengtheningherselfbythefeelingofpresentnecessity,wentin.

           Hewasinfrontofthefire,bothhisfeetonthemantelpiece,smokingapipe.

           "What!itisyou!"hesaid,gettinguphurriedly.

           "Yes,itisI,Rodolphe.Ishouldliketoaskyouradvice."

           And,despiteallherefforts,itwasimpossibleforhertoopenherlips.