"Well," said Mlle. de Tonnay-Charente, "I also think a good deal; but I take care "
"To say nothing," said Montalais, "so that when Mademoiselle de Tonnay-Charente thinks, Athenais is the only one who knows it."
"Hush!" said Mile, de Tonnay-Charente. "I hear steps approaching from this side."
"Quick, quick, then, among the high reed-grass!" said Montalais. "Stoop, Athenais, you are so tall."
Mlle. de Tonnay-Charente stooped as she was told, and almost at the same moment they saw two gentlemen approaching, their heads bent down, walking arm in arm, on the fine gravel-walk running parallel with the bank. The young girls had, indeed, made themselves small, for nothing was to be seen of them.
"It is Monsieur de Guiche," whispered Montalais in Mlle,. de Tonnay-Charente's ear.
"It is Monsieur de Bragelonne," whispered the latter to La Valliere.
The two young men approached still closer, conversing in animated voices.
"She was here just now," said the count. "If I had only seen her I should have declared it to be a vision, but I spoke to her."
"You are positive, then?"
"Yes; but perhaps I frightened her."
"In what way?"
"Oh! I was still half-mad, at what you know, so that she could hardly have understood what I was saying, and must have become alarmed."
"Oh!" said De Bragelonne, "do not make yourself uneasy; she is all kindness, and will excuse you; she is clear-sighted, and will understand."
"Yes, but if she should have understood, and understood too well, she may talk."
"You do not know Louise, count," said Raoul. "Louise possesses every virtue, and has not a single fault."
And the two young men passed on, and as they proceeded their voices were soon lost in the distance.
"How is it, La Valliere," said Mile, de Tonnay-Charente, "that the Vicomte de Bragelonne spoke of you as Louise?"
"We were brought up together," replied Louise, blushing; "Monsieur de Bragelonne has honored me by asking my hand in marriage; but "
"Well?"
