As he opened the gate of the courtyard, he found himself face to face with Reine, who was coming out.
The young girl immediately supposed he had come to make a last assault, in the hope of inducing her to yield to his wishes.

She feared a renewal of the painful scene which had closed their last interview, and her first impulse was to put herself on her guard.

Her countenance darkened, and she fixed a cold, questioning gaze upon Claudet, as if to keep him at a distance.

But, when she noted the sadness of her young relative's expression, she was seized with pity.

Making an effort, however, to disguise her emotion, she pretended to accost him with the calm and cordial friendship of former times.
"Why, good-morning, Claudet," said she, "you come just in time.