it would be absurd for me not to be happy.  Besides, I love him deeply, and this ardent love inspires me with great confidence ... it is impossible that so much love should be born in my heart for no purpose.” ...  Sometimes this confidence deserts me, and I despairingly say:  “M. de Villiers is a loyal man, who would have frankly said to me:  ’I love you, love me and let us be happy.’” ...  Since he did not say that, there must exist between us an insurmountable obstacle, a barrier of invincible delicacy; because he is engaged he cannot devote his life to me, and he must renounce me for ever.  M. de Meilhan comes here every day; I send word I am too sick to see him; which is the truth, for I would be in Paris now if I were well enough to travel.  I shall not return by the cars, I dread meeting Roger.  I forgot to tell you about his arrival at Richeport; it is an amusing story; I laughed very much at the time; then I could laugh, now I never expect to smile again.

Four days ago, I was at Richeport, all the time wishing to leave, and always detained by Mad. de Meilhan; it was about noon, and we were all sitting in the parlor—­Edgar, M. de Villiers, Mad. de Meilhan and myself.  Ah! how happy I was that day ...  How could I foresee any trouble?...  They were listening to an air I was playing from Bellini ...  A servant entered and asked this simple question:  “Does madame expect the Prince de Monbert by the twelve o’clock train?".....  At this name I quickly fled, without stopping to pick up the piano stool that I overturned in my hurried retreat.  I ran to my room, took my hat and an umbrella to hide my face should I meet any one, and walked to Pont de l’Arche.  Soon after I heard the Prince had arrived, and dinner was ordered for five o’clock, so he could leave in the 7.30 train.  Politeness required me to send word to Mad. de Meilhan that I would be detained at Pont de l’Arche.  To avoid the entreaties of Edgar I took refuge at the house of an old fishwoman, near the gate of the town.  She is devoted to me, and I often take her children toys and clothes.  At half-past six, the time for Roger to be taken to the depot, I was at the window of this house, which was on the road that led to the cars—­presently I heard several familiar voices....  I heard my name distinctly pronounced....  “Mlle de Chateaudun.” ...  I concealed myself behind the half-closed blinds, and attentively listened:  “She is at Rouen,” said the Prince.

...  “What a strange woman,” said M. de Villiers:  “Ah! this conduct is easily explained,” said Edgar, “she is angry with him.”  “Doubtless she believes me culpable,” replied the Prince, “and I wish at all costs to see her and justify myself.”  In speaking thus, they all three passed under the window where I was.  I trembled—­I dared not look at them....  When they had gone by, I peeped through the shutter and saw them all standing still and admiring the beautiful bridge with its flower-covered pillars, and the superb landscape spread before them.