She was there still, with her deep, dark eyes and her enticing cherry lips.

Even the odor of the honeysuckle arising from the garden assisted the reality of the vision, by recalling the sprig of the same flower which Reine was twisting round her fingers at their last interview.

This sweet breath of flowers in the night seemed like an emanation from the young girl herself, and was as fleeting and intangible as the remembrance of vanished happiness.

Again and again did his morbid nature return to past events, and make his present position more unbearable.
"Why," thought he, "did I ever entertain so wild a hope?
This wood-nymph, with her robust yet graceful figure, her clear-headedness, her energy and will-power, could she ever have loved a being so weak and unstable as myself?
No, indeed; she needs a lover full of life and vigor; a huntsman, with a strong arm, able to protect her.

What figure should I cut by the side of so hearty and well-balanced a fellow ?" In these fits of jealousy, he was not so angry with Claudet for being loved by Reine as for having so carefully concealed his feelings.