Just in front of the chateau they met the Marquis de Bruyeres, and several other gentlemen of the neighbourhood, coming to pay their respects.

They wished to go back into the chateau and receive their guests properly, saying that they could ride out at any time, but the visitors would not listen to such a thing, and turning their horses' heads proposed to ride with them.

The party, increased by six or eight cavaliers in gala dress--for the provincial lordlings had made themselves as fine as possible to do honour to their new neighbours--was really very imposing; a cortege worthy of a princess.
They rode on between broad green fields, through woods and groves and highly cultivated farms, all of which had now been restored to the estate they had originally belonged to; and the grateful, adoring glances that the Baron de Sigognac found opportunity to bestow upon his lovely baronne, made her heart beat high with a happiness almost too perfect for this weary world of trials and sorrows.
As they were riding through a little pine wood, near the boundary line of the estate, the barking of hounds was heard, and presently the party met the beautiful Yolande de Foix, followed by her old uncle, and one or two attendant cavaliers.

The road was very narrow, and there was scarcely room to pass, though each party endeavoured to make way for the other.

Yolande's horse was prancing about restively, and the skirt of her long riding-habit brushed Isabelle's as she passed her.