They were happy days, for Mademoiselle was often at my side, and ever kind to me; so kind was she that presently, as my strength grew, there fell a great cloud athwart my happiness--the thought that soon I must leave Canaples never to return there,--leave Mademoiselle's presence never to come into it again.
I was Monsieur de Montresor's prisoner.

I had learned that in common with all others, save those at Canaples, he deemed me dead, and that, informed of it by a message from St.Auban, he had returned to Paris on the day following that of my journey to Reaux.

Nevertheless, since I lived, he had my parole, and it was my duty as soon as I had regained sufficient strength, to journey to Paris and deliver myself into his hands.
Nearer and nearer drew the dreaded hour in which I felt that I must leave Canaples.

On the last day of April I essayed a fencing bout with Andrea, and so strong and supple did I prove myself that I was forced to realise that the time was come.

On the morrow I would go.
As I was on the point of returning indoors with the foils under my arm, Andrea called me back.
"Gaston, I have something of importance to say to you.