It was about nine o’clock.  Edouard, instead of returning to his lodgings, started down towards the town, to conclude a bargain with the innkeeper for an English mare he was in treaty for.  He wanted her for to-morrow’s work; so that decided him to make the purchase.  In purchases, as in other matters, a feather turns the balanced scale.  He sauntered leisurely down.  It was a very clear night; the full moon and the stars shining silvery and vivid.  Edouard’s heart swelled with joy.  He was loved after all, deeply loved; and in three short weeks he was actually to be Rose’s husband:  her lord and master.  How like a heavenly dream it all seemed—­the first hopeless courtship, and now the wedding fixed!  But it was no dream; he felt her soft words still murmur music at his heart, and the shadow of her velvet lips slept upon his own.

He had strolled about a league when he heard the ring of a horse’s hoofs coming towards him, accompanied by a clanking noise; it came nearer and nearer, till it reached a hill that lay a little ahead of Edouard; then the sounds ceased; the cavalier was walking his horse up the hill.

Presently, as if they had started from the earth, up popped between Edouard and the sky, first a cocked hat that seemed in that light to be cut with a razor out of flint; then the wearer, phosphorescent here and there; so brightly the keen moonlight played on his epaulets and steel scabbard.  A step or two nearer, and Edouard gave a great shout; it was Colonel Raynal.

After the first warm greeting, and questions and answers, Raynal told him he was on his way to the Rhine with despatches.

“To the Rhine?”

“I am allowed six days to get there.  I made a calculation, and found I could give Beaurepaire half a day.  I shall have to make up for it by hard riding.  You know me; always in a hurry.  It is Bonaparte’s fault this time.  He is always in a hurry too.”

“Why, colonel,” said Edouard, “let us make haste then.  Mind they go early to rest at the chateau.”

“But you are not coming my way, youngster?”

“Not coming your way?  Yes, but I am.  Yours is a face I don’t see every day, colonel; besides I would not miss their faces, especially the baroness’s and Madame Raynal’s, at sight of you; and, besides,”—­and the young gentleman chuckled to himself, and thought of Rose’s words, “the next time we meet;” well, this will be the next time.  “May I jump up behind?”

Colonel Raynal nodded assent.  Edouard took a run, and lighted like a monkey on the horse’s crupper.  He pranced and kicked at this unexpected addition; but the spur being promptly applied to his flanks, he bounded off with a snort that betrayed more astonishment than satisfaction, and away they cantered to Beaurepaire, without drawing rein.

“There,” said Edouard, “I was afraid they would be gone to bed; and they are.  The very house seems asleep—­fancy—­at half-past ten.”