This was nearly their last interview that year, for the winter came on rapidly and with increased severity, so that it was impossible for the lovers to meet out of doors, and the fear of spying eyes prevented them from taking advantage of Daumon’s hospitality.  Each day, however, the widow’s daughter, Francoise, carried a letter to Laurebourg, and brought back a reply to Champdoce.  The inhabitants of the various country houses had fled to more genial climates, and only the Marquis de Laurebourg, who was an inveterate sportsman, still lingered; but at the first heavy fall of snow he too determined to take refuge in the magnificent house that he owned in the town of Poitiers.  Norbert had foreseen this, and had taken his measures accordingly.  Two or three times in the week he mounted his horse and rode to the town.  After changing his dress, he made haste to a certain garden wall in which there was a small door.  At an agreed hour this door would gently open, and as Norbert slipped through he would find Diana ready to welcome him, looking more bewitching than ever.  This great passion, which now enthralled his whole life, and the certainty that his love was returned, had done away with a great deal of his bashfulness and timidity.  He had resumed his acquaintanceship with Montlouis, and had often been with him to the Cafe Castille.  Montlouis was only for a short time at Poitiers, for as soon as spring began he was to join the young Count de Mussidan, who had promised to find some employment for him.  The approaching departure was not at all to Montlouis’ taste, as he was madly in love with a young girl who resided in the town.  He told all to Norbert; and as confidence begets confidence, he more than once accompanied the young Marquis to the door in the garden wall of the Count de Laurebourg’s town house.

April came at last.  The gentry returned to their country houses, and in time the happy day arrived when Diana de Laurebourg was to return to her father’s country mansion.  The lovers had now every opportunity to meet, and would exhort each other to have patience, and a week after Diana’s return they spent a long day together in the woods.  After this delicious day, Norbert, happy and light-hearted, returned to his father’s house.

“Marquis,” said the Duke, plunging at once into the topic nearest his heart, “I have found a wife for you, and in two months you will marry her.”

CHAPTER VII.

An unlucky blow.

The falling of a thunderbolt at his feet would have startled Norbert less than these words did.  The Duke took, or affected to take, no notice of his son’s extreme agitation, and in a careless manner he continued,—­

“I suppose, my son, that it is hardly necessary for me to tell you the young lady’s name.  Mademoiselle Marie de Puymandour cannot fail to please you.  She is excessively pretty, tall, dark, and with a fine figure.  You saw her at Mass one day.  What do you think of her?”