Hitherto she had always obeyed hasty impulses.

Why should not she, too, succeed in accomplishing a well-considered plan?
With the torturing emotions of failure, mortification, desertion, remorse, and yearning for forgiveness, now blended the hope of yet bringing to a successful conclusion the hazardous enterprise which she had already given up as hopeless, and, while walking on, her brain toiled diligently over plans for the campaign which would compel the great general to return with twofold devotion the love of which he had deprived her.
So, in the intense darkness, she followed the light which the torches cast upon the uneven path.

At first she had taken up the train of her dress; now it was sweeping the dusty road.
What did she care for the magnificent robe if she regained Charles's love?
Of what use would it be if she had lost it, lost it forever?
Before the litters reached the little castle a gust of wind rose, driving large drops of rain, straw, and withered leaves-Barbara could not imagine whence they came in the month of May--into her face.

She was obliged to struggle against these harbingers of the coming tempest, and her heart grew lighter during the conflict.

She was not born to endure, but to contend.
The scene of the festivities emptied rapidly.