As the day waned, the sinuosities of the forest became more blended; the depth of the valleys was lost in thick vapors.
The wind had risen.

The first falling leaves of the season rose and fell like wounded birds; heavy clouds gathered in the sky, and the night was coming on apace.

Claudet was grateful for the sudden darkness, which would blot out a view now so distasteful to him.

Shortly, on the Auberive side, along the winding Aubette, feeble lights became visible, as if inviting the young man to profit by their guidance.

He arose, took the path indicated, and went to supper, or rather, to a pretence of supper, in the same inn where he had breakfasted with Julien, whence the latter had gone on his mission to Reine.