"
"But the role required it. You surely would not have had me play it as
if he disgusted me! besides, did I not preserve throughout the quiet
demeanour of a well-bred, respectable girl? If I failed in that you must
tell me how and where, so that I may endeavour to correct it in future."
"Oh no! you appeared from the beginning to the end like a modest,
retiring, young lady--no, there is no fault to be found with you in
that respect; your acting was inimitable--so graceful, lady-like, and
easy--but withal so true to nature that it was almost too real."
"My dear baron, they are putting out the lights; everybody has gone but
ourselves, and we shall be left in the dark if we don't make haste. Be
good enough to throw this cloak around my shoulders and accompany me to
the chateau."
De Sigognac acquitted himself of this novel duty with less awkwardness
than might have been expected, though his hands trembled a little, and
he felt an almost irresistible desire to take her into his arms as he
wrapped the mantle round her slender form; but he restrained himself,
and respectfully offering his arm led her out of the orangery, which by
this time was entirely deserted. It was, as we have said, at a little
distance from the chateau, and on the level of the park, lower than the
mansion, which stood on a high terrace, with a handsome stone balustrade
at the edge, supporting at regular intervals large vases filled with
blooming plants, in the pretty Italian fashion.
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