"There! I will
not detain you. . .my thoughts go with you. . .Farewell!. . ."
How lovely she looked in this morning sunlight, with her
ardent hair streaming around her shoulders. He bowed very low and
kissed her hand; she felt the burning kiss and her heart thrilled with
joy and hope.
"You will come back?" she said tenderly.
"Very soon!" he replied, looking longingly into her blue eyes.
"Any. . .you will remember?. . ." she asked as her eyes, in
response to his look, gave him an infinity of promise.
"I will always remember, Madame, that you have honoured me by
commanding my services."
The words were cold and formal, but they did not chill her
this time. Her woman's heart had read his, beneath the impassive mask
his pride still forced him to wear.
He bowed to her again, then begged her leave to depart. She
stood on one side whilst he jumped on to Sultan's back, then, as he
galloped out of the gates, she waved him a final "Adieu."
A bend in the road soon hid him from view; his confidential
groom had some difficulty in keeping pace with him, for Sultan flew
along in response to his master's excited mood.
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