Page:Clermont - Roche (1798, volume 1).djvu/169

 too pleasing to be rejected; and every shadow of uneasiness vanished from her mind. Dinner was served at an earlier hour than usual; and soon after they had taken coffee, the Countess bade them adieu, the road between the town and the chateau being extremely lonesome.

She tenderly embraced Madeline at parting; and said, as she gave up one of her highest sources of pleasure in resigning her company, she could not wonder if she soon recalled her.

"Remember (cried Madame Chatteneuf), whenever you desire her return, you must come for her yourself; for, of our own accord, we cannot relinquish her society."

Pleased with the idea of soon beholding de Sevignie, and still more pleased at being able to account in any kind of satisfactory manner for his conduct, Madeline was unusually animated, and chatted with almost