Could it be possible that only that very morning she and
de Sigognac had been walking together, with hearts full of happiness and
peace--and she had rapturously hailed the appearance of the first spring
violet as an omen of good, and gathered the sweet little blossom to
bestow upon the devoted lover who adored her? And now, alas! alas! they
were as inexorably and hopelessly separated as if half the globe lay
between them. No wonder that her breast heaved tumultuously with choking
sobs, and hot tears rained down over her pallid cheeks, as she wept
convulsively at the thought of all she had lost. But she did not long
indulge her grief--she remembered that at any moment she might have need
of all her coolness and fortitude--and making a mighty effort, like the
brave heroine that she was, she regained control over herself, and drove
back the gushing tears to await a more fitting season. She was relieved
to find that there were no bars at the window, as she had feared; but
upon opening the casement and leaning out she saw immediately beneath
her a broad moat, full of stagnant water, which surrounded the chateau,
and forbade any hope of succour or escape on that side. Beyond the moat
was a thick grove of large trees, which entirely shut out the view; and
she returned to her seat by the fire, more disheartened and cast
down than ever.
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