Vidalinc sat down and enjoyed it by himself, with
perfect good humour, thinking meanwhile of Serafina's remarkable beauty
and amiability, with which he was highly charmed, and not neglecting
to drink her health in the duke's choice wine ere he quitted the table,
and, following his example, retired to his own room, where he slept
soundly, dreaming of Serafina, until morning; while Vallombreuse, less
fortunate, and still haunted by disturbing thoughts, tossed restlessly,
and turned from side to side, courting sleep in vain, under the rich
silken hangings drawn round his luxurious bed.
When de Sigognac, the tyrant and Scapin reached the Armes de France,
after having overcome the serious obstacles in their way, they found the
others in a terrible state of alarm about them. In the stillness of the
night they had distinctly heard the loud cries of the duke's ruffians,
and the noise of the fierce combat, and feared that their poor friends
were being murdered. Isabelle, nearly frantic in her terror lest her
lover should be overpowered and slain, tried to rush back to him, never
remembering that she would be more of a hindrance than a help; but at
the first step she had again almost fainted away, and would have fallen
upon the rough pavement but for Blazius and Zerbine, who, each taking
an arm, supported her between them the rest of the way to the hotel When
they reached it at last, she refused to go to her own room, but waited
with the others at the outer door for news of their comrades, fearing
the worst, yet prayerfully striving to hope for the best.
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