During this springtime, when all is budding, the lover sometimes hides from the beloved woman, in order to enjoy her more, to see her better; but Etienne and Gabrielle plunged together into all the delights of that infantine period.

Sometimes they were two sisters in the grace of their confidences, sometimes two brothers in the boldness of their questionings.

Usually love demands a slave and a god, but these two realized the dream of Plato,--they were but one being deified.

They protected each other.

Caresses came slowly, one by one, but chaste as the merry play--so graceful, so coquettish--of young animals.