A secret voice cried to the doctor, "The fate of his mother awaits him!" When the letter was written, Etienne held it out to the old man, who hastened to give it to Bertrand.

The old retainer's horse was waiting in the courtyard, saddled; the man himself was ready.

He started, and met the duke twelve miles from Herouville.
"Come with me to the gate of the courtyard," said Gabrielle to her friend when they were alone.
The pair passed through the cardinal's library, and went down through the tower, in which was a door, the key of which Etienne had given to Gabrielle.

Stupefied by the dread of coming evil, the poor youth left in the tower the torch he had brought to light the steps of his beloved, and continued with her toward the cottage.

A few steps from the little garden, which formed a sort of flowery courtyard to the humble habitation, the lovers stopped.