, and, what was still better, I
was young.

"In the middle of the night I heard my door open; it was the Count de
Melun. I was not asleep, I was expecting him. It is not every woman who
would like it that is run away with. I was going to be run away with.

"Love is not only charming in itself, it is so also from its romance. A
passion without adventure is like a mistress without caprice. I was seated
upon my bed. 'Is it you, Jacqueline?' I said, affecting fright. 'It is I,'
said the count, falling upon his knees. 'You, sir! Your letter was not a
joke then?' 'My horses are at hand; there is no time to lose; leave this
sad prison: my hotel, my fortune, my heart, all are at your service.' At
that moment a light appeared at the door. 'My father!' I cried, with
affright, as I concealed myself behind the bed curtains. 'All is lost,'
muttered the count. It was Sophy. I recognized her light step. She
approached with the light in her hand, and in silence, toward the count.
'My sister,' said she, with some degree of excitement, but without losing
her presence of mind, 'here I am, all ready.' I did not understand; I
looked at her with surprise; she was all dressed, from head to foot. 'What
are you saying? You are mad.' 'Not by any means; I want to be run away
with, like yourself.' The Count de Melun could not help laughing.
'Mademoiselle,' he said to her, 'you forget your dolls and toys. 'Sir,'
replied she, with dignity, 'I am thirteen years old. It was not yesterday
that I made my _debut_ at the opera; I take a part on the stage in the
ravishment of Psyche.' 'Good,' says the count, 'we will carry you off
too.' 'It is as well,' whispered the count in my ear; 'this is the only
way of getting rid of her.'

"I was very much put out by this contretemps, which gave a new
complication to our adventure. My father might forgive my being carried
off, but Sophy! I tried to dissuade her from her mad enterprise. I offered
her my ornaments; she would not listen to reason. She declared, that if
she was not carried off with me she would inform against us, and thus
prevent the adventure. 'Do not oppose her.' said the count; 'with such a
tendency she will be sure to be carried off sooner or later.'--'Well, let
us depart together,' The chambermaid, who had approached with the
stealthy, quiet step of a cat, told us to hurry, for she was afraid that
the noise of the horses, that were pawing the ground near by, would awaken
Monsieur de Camargo. We w