.

A MAID IN THE MOONLIGHT.
I do not know whether it was the influence of that thing lying in a corner of the barn under the cloak that Rodenard had flung over it, or whether other influences of destiny were at work to impel me to rise at the end of a half-hour and announce my determination to set out on horseback and find myself quarters more congenial.
"To-morrow," I instructed Ganymede, as I stood ready to mount, "you will retrace your steps with the others, and, finding the road to Lavedan, you will follow me to the chateau." "But you cannot hope to reach it to-night, monseigneur, through a country that is unknown to you," he protested.
"I do not hope to reach it to-night.

I will ride south until I come upon some hamlet that will afford me shelter and, in the morning, direction." I left him with that, and set out at a brisk trot.

Night had now fallen, but the sky was clear, and a crescent moon came opportunely if feebly to dispel the gloom.
I quitted the field, and went back until I gained a crossroad, where, turning to the right, I set my face to the Pyrenees, and rode briskly amain.

That I had chosen wisely was proved when some twenty minutes later.