I was equally sure that she had not detected my presence behind her.

Why, then, had she made this strange promenade, alone, unprotected, an hour after nightfall?
No dog had bayed, no one had moved, she had not once paused, or listened, like a person expecting a rencontre.

I could not make it out.

And I came no nearer to solving it, though I lay awake an hour beyond my usual time.
In the morning, neither of the ladies descended to dinner, and I heard that Mademoiselle was not so well.

After a lonely meal, therefore I missed them more than I should have supposed--I retired to my favourite seat and fell to meditating.
The day was fine, and the garden pleasant.