He seemed to feel as if it were an encouragement to speak.

When the men and women had dispersed, and a surging of the crowd brought him nearer to Reine, he resolved to follow her, without regard to the question of what people would say, or the curious eyes that might be watching him.
A happy chance came in his way.

Reine Vincart had gone home by the path along the outskirts of the wood and the park enclosure.

Julien went hastily back to the chateau, crossed the gardens, and followed an interior avenue, parallel to the exterior one, from which he was separated only by a curtain of linden and nut trees.

He could just distinguish, between the leafy branches, Reine's black gown, as she walked rapidly along under the ashtrees.