Page:Clermont - Roche (1798, volume 3).djvu/123

 (said she, coming from the cottage) what possesses you, Bijou, to keep such a barking?"

She approached the gate, stopped, screamed, and retreated—then again advanced—again retreated: at last she exclaimed,

"If you do not wish to deprive me of my senses, you will at once tell me whether or not you are Mademoiselle Madeline?"

"Do you doubt your eyes," cried Madeline, stretching out her hand.

Jaqueline instantly pulled open the gate, but instead of taking the proffered hand of Madeline, she clasped her arms about her, and for some minutes by her caresses prevented her from speaking.

"Is my father well?" at last asked Madeline, disengaging herself from the enraptured Jaqueline.

"Yes, Mademoiselle, very well; but how did you travel?—Bless me, looking over the