"'If that is so,' he replied, laughing, 'we are not after the same kind
of game.'

"He went his way; but this accident annoyed me seriously. I continued on
my way, swearing, I fear, at young Ribot, and found that the path became
more and more dangerous. It was long past nine when I reached Valpinson
at last. But the night was clear, and I became more cautious than ever.

"The place which the countess had chosen for our meeting was about two
hundred yards from the house and the farm buildings, sheltered by other
buildings, and quite close to the wood. I approached it through this
wood.

"Hid among the trees, I was examining the ground, when I noticed the
countess standing near one of the old towers: she wore a simple costume
of light muslin, which could be seen at a distance. Finding every thing
quiet, I went up to her; and, as soon as she saw me, she said,--

"'I have been waiting for you nearly an hour.'

"I explained to her the difficulties I had met with on my way there; and
then I asked her,--

"'But where is your husband?'

"'He is laid up with rheumatism,' she replied.

"'Will he not wonder at your absence?'

"'No: he knows I am sitting up with my youngest daughter. I left the
house through the little door of the laundry.'

"And, without giving me time to reply, she asked,--

"'Where are my letters?'

"'Here they are,' I said, handing them to her.

"She took them with feverish haste, saying in an undertone,--

"'There ought to be twenty-four.'

"And, without thinking of the insult, she went to work counting them.

"'They are all here,' she said when she had finished.

"Then, drawing a little package from her bosom, she added,--

"'And here are yours.'

"But she did not give them to me.

"'We'll burn them,' she said.

"I started with surprise.

"'You cannot think of it,' I cried, 'here, and at this hour. The fire
would certainly be seen.'

"'What? Are you afraid? However, we can go into the wood. Come, give me
some matches.'

"I felt in my pockets; but I had none.

"'I have no matches,' I said.

"'Oh, come!--you who smoke all day long,--you who, even in my presence,
could never give up your cigars.'

"'I left my match-box, yesterday, at M. de Chandore's.'

"She stamped her foot vehemently.

"'Since that is so, I'll go in and get some.'

"This would have delayed us, and thus would have been an additional
imprudence. I saw that I must do what she wanted, and so I said,--