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Throwing away his torch and his arrows, the god takes the form of a child, and approaching Gabrielle, tells her that the conqueror of Mayenne is at that moment near her:—

Forgetful of the claims of his Reine Margot, who had given him no great reason to be mindful of them, the too susceptible hero falls a very easy victim to the beauties of this fascinating maiden. Love, continuing to lend his treacherous aid, spreads enchanted bowers of myrtle, and throws over the whole region his powerful spell:—