“Very well—­thank you!” said Adrienne kindly.

Andrew again bowed; but, before going out, he said to Adrienne, “I forgot to tell you, lady, that Marshal Simon called about an hour ago; but, as you were only to be at home to Prince Djalma, we told him that you received no company.”

“Very well,” said Adrienne.  With another low bow, Andrew quitted the room, and all returned to silence.

For the precise reason that, up to the last minute of the hour previous to the time fixed for her interview with Djalma, the hopes of Adrienne had not been disturbed by the slightest shadow of doubt, the disappointment she now felt was the more dreadful.  Casting a desponding look at one of the portraits placed above her, she murmured, with a plaintive and despairing accent, “Oh, mother!”

Hardly had Mdlle. de Cardoville uttered the words than the windows were slightly shaken by a carriage rolling into the courtyard.  The young lady started, and was unable to repress a low cry of joy.  Her heart bounded at the thought of meeting Djalma, for this time she felt that he was really come.  She was quite as certain of it as if she had seen him.  She resumed her seat and brushed away a tear suspended from her long eyelashes.  Her hand trembled like a leaf.  The sound of several doors opening and shutting proved that the young lady was right in her conjecture.  The gilded panels of the drawing-room door soon turned upon their hinges, and the prince appeared.

While a second footman ushered in Djalma, Andrew placed on a gilded table, within reach of his mistress, a little silver salver, on which stood the crystal smelling-bottle.  Then he withdrew, and the door of the room was closed.  The prince and Mdlle. de Cardoville were left alone together.

CHAPTER XLI.

Adrienne and Djalma.

The prince had slowly approached Mdlle. de Cardoville.  Notwithstanding the impetuosity of the Oriental’s passions, his uncertain and timid step—­timid, yet graceful—­betrayed his profound emotion.  He did not venture to lift his eyes to Adrienne’s face; he had suddenly become very pale, and his finely formed hands, folded over his bosom in the attitude of adoration, trembled violently.  With head bent down, he remained standing at a little distance from Adrienne.  This embarrassment, ridiculous in any other person, appeared touching in this prince of twenty years of age, endowed with an almost fabulous intrepidity, and of so heroic and generous a character, that no traveller could speak of the son of Kadja sing without a tribute of admiration and respect.  Sweet emotion! chaste reserve! doubly interesting if we consider that the burning passions of this youth were all the more inflammable, because they had hitherto been held in check.