Can it be true that you are but sixteen ?" "That is my age, Cousin Francois; and I am, as you expected, but a boy yet and, I can assure you, no taller or broader than many of my English schoolfellows of the same age." "But we must not delay, aunt," Francois said, turning again to her.
"My mother's commands were urgent, that I was not to delay a moment in private talk with you, but to bring you speedily on to her; therefore I pray you to mount again and ride on with me, for doubtless she is watching impatiently now, and will chide me rarely, if we linger." Accordingly the party remounted at once, and rode forward to the chateau.

A dozen men-at-arms were drawn up at the gate and, on the steps of the entrance from the courtyard into the chateau itself, the countess was standing.

Francois leapt from his horse, and was by the side of his aunt as Philip reined in his horse.

Taking his hand, she sprang lightly from the saddle, and in a moment the two sisters fell into each others' arms.
It was more than twenty years since they last met, but time had dealt gently with them both.

The countess had changed least.