"We will not stay to hear it," she answered, with an affectation of disdain, which, however, did not conceal the blush that covered her rosy cheek. "Come, Monsieur," she continued, taking his arm, "I have never shown you my new flower-beds; will you go to see them now?"
The Monsieur bowed a courtly acquiescence, and the pair set off toward the garden.
"Will you not let us admire them too, aunt?" said Marie, hastily, as if afraid of being left alone.
"Oh! yes," she answered; " you may come along, if Monsieur De Cheville will pledge himself for your good behavior."
"I'll give you a bond if you wish it," said De Cheville, offering Marie his arm. This, however, she declined, and walked on by his side, talking rapidly, and with some excitement in her manner, as if fearful of the introduction of some unpleasant subject. De Cheville observed this, but, with a sigh, endeavored to reply to her in her own strain. They followed her aunt and the Monsieur, pausing from time to time, as the former directed their attention to various improvements in her tasteful plats and beds, until they had nearly reached the lower end of the garden. Here two or three native trees of the forest had been surrounded by a circle of exotic shrubs and plants; these had reared their luxuriant heads to the lower branches, and formed within a cool pavilion of green foliage. A narrow entrance had been left on the southern side, and within were erected several rustic benches. At this point Madame Dupley and her cavalier suddenly disappeared; and Marie and De Cheville, supposing they had entered, passed in and found themselves secluded and alone!
"Why! where can they have gone?" she exclaimed, calling loudly, but tremulously, her aunt's name.
No answer was returned, save the echoes of her own voice, coming back from the surrounding solitude.
"They are somewhere near," she said, trembling in every limb; "let us search for them." And she approached the entrance.
"Marie," said De Cheville, all his resolutions melting away before the temptation of opportunity, "will you not remain here with me for a few moments?"
