Such are men.  At my first word she saw that a change had taken place in me.  I did not speak to her, but kept to the other side of the road.  When we reached the valley she appeared at ease, and only turned her head from time to time to see if I was following her; but when we came to the forest and our horses’ hoofs resounded against the rocks that lined the road, I saw that she was trembling.  She stopped as though to wait for me, as I was some distance in the rear; when I had overtaken her she set out at a gallop.  We soon reached the foot of the mountain and were compelled to slacken our pace.  I then made my way to her side; our heads were bowed; the time had come, I took her hand.

“Brigitte,” I said, “are you weary of my complaints?  Since I have been reinstated in your favor, since I have been allowed to see you every day and every evening, I have asked myself if I have been importunate.  During the last two months, while strength and hope have been failing me, have I said a word of that fatal love which is consuming me?  Raise your head and answer me.  Do you not see that I suffer and that my nights are given to weeping?  Have you not met in the forest an unfortunate wretch sitting in solitary dejection with his hands pressed to his forehead?  Have you not seen tears on these bushes?  Look at me, look at these mountains; do you realize that I love you?  They know it, they are my witnesses; these rocks and these trees know my secret.  Why lead me before them?  Am I not wretched enough?  Do I fail in courage?  Have I obeyed you?  To what tests, what tortures am I subjected, and for what crime?  If you do not love me, what are you doing here?”

“Let us return,” she said, “let us retrace our steps.”

I seized her horse’s bridle.

“No,” I replied, “for I have spoken.  If we return, I lose you, I realize it; I know in advance what you will say.  You have been pleased to try my patience, you have set my sorrow at defiance, perhaps that you might have the right to drive me from your presence; you have become tired of that sorrowful lover who suffered without complaint and who drank with resignation the bitter chalice of your disdain!  You knew that, alone with you in the presence of these trees, in the midst of this solitude where my love had its birth, I could not be silent!  You wish to be offended.  Very well, Madame, I lose you!  I have wept and I have suffered, I have too long nourished in my heart a pitiless love that devours me.  You have been cruel!”

As she was about to leap from her saddle, I seized her in my arms and pressed my lips to hers.  She turned pale, her eyes closed, her bridle slipped from her hand and she fell to the ground.

“God be praised!” I cried, “she loves me!” She had returned my kiss.

I leaped to the ground and hastened to her side.  She was extended on the ground.  I raised her, she opened her eyes, and shuddered with terror; she pushed my arm aside, and burst into tears.