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Updated: October 15, 2025
I saw nothing of him on leaving the Rotundo. Perhaps he meant to meet me there or at my hotel; but how was I to get back to either of these places without leaving my post? I was perplexed as to how I should communicate with D'Hauteville. It occurred to me that the hackney-coachman I had not yet dismissed him might remain and watch the house, while I went in search of the Creole.
He was the agent of whom D'Hauteville had spoken. The Creole had guessed aright, and so, too, had Le Ber. Gayarre had outbid them all! For a while I lingered in the hall, irresolute and almost without purpose. She whom I loved, and who loved me in return, was wrested from me by an infamous law, ruthlessly torn from me.
"I had a suspicion of this before," continued D'Hauteville; "for I may tell you I know something of this family history of Eugenie Besancon of Aurore of Gayarre the avocat. I had a suspicion before that Gayarre might desire to be the owner of Aurore. But now that you have told me of the scene in the dining-room, I no longer doubt this villain's design. Oh! it is infamous."
The transformation of Eugene D'Hauteville to Eugenie Besancon had astonished the crowd; but a greater surprise awaited them in the resurrection of the steward Antoine! Reader! my story is ended. Here upon our little drama must the curtain drop. I might offer you other tableaux to illustrate the after history of our characters, but a slight summary must suffice. Your fancy will supply the details.
"Strange the horses do not neigh, or give some sign of their presence! One would have thought our approach would have startled them. But no, there is no whimper, no hoof-stroke; yet we must be close to them now. I never knew of horses remaining so still? What can they be doing? Where are they?" "Ay, where are they?" echoed D'Hauteville; "surely this is the spot where we left them?"
For myself I needed no couch. I sat down near my beloved, with my back against the trunk of a tree. I would fain have pillowed her head upon my breast, but the presence of D'Hauteville restrained me. Even that might not have hindered me, but the slight proposal which I made had been declined by Aurore. Even the hand that I had taken in mine was respectfully withdrawn!
Almost every bet he made was "raked" into the bank, until his last coin lay upon the cards. Another turn, and that, too, chinked as it fell into the cash-box of the croupier! "Come now, D'Hauteville! Come away!" I whispered, leaning over, and laying hold of his arm. "How much against this?" he asked the banker, without heeding me "how much, sir?"
All my hopes centred upon D'Hauteville for I no longer dwelt upon the chances of the mail. To be assured upon this head, however, as soon as it had arrived, I once more sought the banking-house of Brown and Co. The negative answer to my inquiry was no longer a disappointment. I had anticipated it. When did money ever arrive in time for a crisis?
Aurore remained upon the ground; while D'Hauteville and I, taking different directions set out after the horses. D'Hauteville went farther into the woods, while I took the opposite route. I soon arrived at the zigzag fence bounding the fields of Gayarre; for we were still upon the very borders of his plantation.
Deeply, Monsieur D'Hauteville deeply do I grieve for that noble lady. Oh, that I could pluck the sting from her heart which I have been the innocent cause of placing there. But surely she will recover from this unfortunate passion? Surely in time " "Ah! never! never!" interrupted D'Hauteville, with an earnestness of manner that surprised me. "Why say you so, Monsieur?"
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