But I have been occupied entirely with your interests during my absence, and the hope of pleasing my darling sister, and adding to her happiness, has helped me to endure the long separation from her." "The way to please me most, as you ought to have known," Isabelle replied, "was to stay here at home quietly with your father and me, and let us take care of you, instead of rushing off so rashly--with your wound scarcely healed, or your health fully re-established--on some foolish errand or other, that you were not willing to acknowledge." "Was I ever really wounded, or ill ?" said Vallombreuse, laughing.

"Upon my word I had forgotten all about it.

Never in my life was I in better health than at this moment, and my little expedition has done me no end of good.

But you, my sweet sister, are not looking as well as when I left you; you have grown thin and pale.

What is the matter?
I fear that you find your life here at the chateau very dull.