Page:Short Stories (1912).djvu/114

Rh with my two legs, I ventured into a large avenue of poplars that had been indicated as the road to follow. About the middle of the avenue, which was very dark, I passed a woman dressed in black, who, after crossing me, called to me by my name. I turned, and went straight to her, wondering who could know me and recognize me at that hour in this village, under those high poplars. It needed a cat's eyes or a woman's to do so. It was the new countess.

"What are you doing here?"

"I am on my way to my home, returning from Paris, where I have been shopping."

"Do you live at C?"

"Did you not advise me to go to the country? This, I can assure you, is the real country."

"Then you did follow my advice?"

Every word of it."

"And you find yourself the better for it?"

"Wonderfully. I am perfectly happy. And how glad I am to see you again."

"Why did you not write me this news?"

"To trouble you again with myself and my affairs?"

"Your husband?"

"Is as well as possible."

"And your health?"

"Have you matches?"

"Yes."

"Light one, and look at me."

By this improvised light I saw she was fresh and rosy; she looked only twenty years old.

"How are you? and how do you like our country?" she continued.

I related my story.

"I will find you a conveyance," she said. "Everybody loves me here. If these people will not let you have one I will go to the Mayor or the Doctor for theirs; they are my friends; these bundles are their