CHAPTER V.
A BAD START.
Diana de Laurebourg was a strange compound; under an appearance of the most artless simplicity she concealed an iron will, and had hidden from every one of her family, and even from her most intimate friends, her firm resolve to become the Duchess of Champdoce.

All her rambles in the neighborhood had turned out of no avail; and as the weather was now very uncertain, it seemed as if her long strolls in the country roads and fields would soon come to an end.

"The day must eventually come," murmured she, "when this invisible prince must make his appearance." And at last the long-expected day arrived.
It was in the middle of the month of November, and the weather was exceedingly soft and balmy for the time of year.

The sky was blue, the few remaining leaves rustled on the trees, and an occasional bird whistled in the hedgerows.

Diana de Laurebourg was walking slowly along the path leading to Mussidan, when all at once she heard a rustling of branches.