Ay, truly enough, it was because in my heart I had dared to hold a sentiment of love for her, the purest--nay, the only pure--thing my heart had held for many a year, that I would set nothing vile to keep company with that sentiment; that until my sun should set--and already it dropped swiftly towards life's horizon--my actions should be the actions of such a man as might win Yvonne's affections.
But let that be.

This idle restrospective mood can interest you but little; nor can you profit from it, unless, indeed, it be by noting how holy and cleansing to the heart of man is the love--albeit unrequited--that he bears a good woman.
As we drew near Meung--where we lay on that first night of our journey--a light travelling chaise, going in the same direction, passed us at a gallop.

As it flashed by, I caught a glimpse of Eugene de Canaples's swart face through the window.

Whether the recognition was mutual I cannot say--nor does it signify.
When we reached the Hotel de la Couronne, half an hour later, we saw that same chaise disappearing round a corner of the street, whilst through the porte-cochere the hostler was leading a pair of horses, foam-flecked and steaming with sweat.
Whither went Master Canaples at such a rate, and in a haste that caused him to travel day and night?
To a goal he little looked for--or rather, which, in the madness of his headlong rush, he could not see.

So I was to learn ere long.
Next day I awoke betimes, and setting my window wide to let in the fresh, clean-smelling air of that May morning I made shift to dress.
Save for the cackle of the poultry which had strayed into the courtyard, and the noisy yawns and sleep-laden ejaculations of the stable-boy, who was drawing water for the horses, all was still, for it had not yet gone five o'clock.
But of a sudden a door opened somewhere, and a step rang out, accompanied by the jangle of spurs, and with it came a sharp, unpleasant voice calling for its owner's horse.