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CHAPTER XLIII.
"C'est qu'on n'a pas pour tout partage
De soupirer et de rèver;
Que sur l'ocean sans rivage
Il faut poursuivre son voyage,
Dût-on ne jamais arriver."
St. Beuve.
It was but a few hours after the preceding scene that a party were seen issuing from the gates of Avonleigh Castle. Two horses stood saddled, ready; but before Evelyn assisted his bride to mount, she turned to embrace Madame de Soissons, who had accompanied her to the portal. "God bless you!" exclaimed she, in a faltering voice. "Think of me sometimes, and Heaven above knows that my heart will beat with the remembrance of your kindness till it lies cold in death." Francesca then sprung on her horse, and in a few minutes they had crossed the path, and were hidden by the forest; once again they appeared on a winding turn of the road; again the boughs closed round them, and shut them out from those who watched them—for ever.
