The sky was azure, the waves were of a transparent yellow, the islets of a vivid green; behind their rounded outlines rose the great sails of the merchant-vessels, like a fleet in ambuscade.
"O Nature, Nature!" he mused; "beautiful Nature, farewell! Soon will my heart cease to be of simplicity enough to feel your charm, soon you wall no longer please my eyes.

This heart is already burned by a deep passion; and the mention of the interests of men stirs it with hitherto unknown agitation.

I must, however, enter this labyrinth; I may, perchance, lose myself there, but for Marie--" At this moment, aroused by the words of his mother, and fearing to exhibit a childish regret at leaving his beautiful country and his family, he said: "I am thinking, Madame, of the road which I shall take to Perpignan, and also of that which shall bring me back to you." "Do not forget to take that of Poitiers, and to go to Loudun to see your old tutor, our good Abbe Quillet; he will give you useful advice about the court.

He is on very good terms with the Duc de Bouillon; and besides, though he may not be very necessary to you, it is a mark of deference which you owe him." "Is it, then, to the siege of Perpignan that you are going, my boy ?" asked the old Marechal, who began to think that he had been silent a long time.

"Ah! it is well for you.