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four page letter of thanks。
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Count Abel had not forgotten that he was the bearer of a commission
from Mlle Moriaz。 A few days after his arrival； he decided to go to
Maisons； but to take the longest route there； he wanted to see Cormeilles
in passing； and a certain villa in which he was particularly interested。 He
went in the Argenteuil cars； got out at Sannois； climbed that pretty hill that
commands the loveliest of views； and stopped at the inn of Trouillet mills
in order to breakfast there。 The morning was charmingit was in the
middle of Augustand the approach of autumn was already felt； which
enhances the beauty of all things。 The sky was flecked with small gray
clouds； a light； silvery mist hung on the brow of the hills； in two places the
Seine appeared glittering in the sunshine。 Abel breakfasted in the open air；
while eating he gazed on the sky and on the great garden…plain extending
at his feet； covered with vegetables； grape…vines； and asparagus；
interspersed with fruit…trees。 The wooded hills bordering it formed an
admirable frame。 In his present mood Count Larinski was charmed with
the landscape； which was at once grand and smiling。 Then he questioned
himself as to how much a bed of asparagus would yield at the gates of
Paris； and； having finished his calculation； he surveyed with the eye of a
poet the heather and broom that surrounded him。 He decided that the
Sannois Hill is more beautiful than Koseg； and indeed it is not necessary
to be in love with Mlle。 Moriaz to hold that opinion。
After having had a good breakfast； he again set out； following the crest
of the hill and going through the woods。 As he approached Cormeilles； he
saw in the distance； beyond a grove of oaks； the white walls of a pretty
villa。 His heart beat faster； and by a sort of divination he said within
himself； 〃That must be it。〃 He inquired； he had made no mistake。 Five
minutes later he stood before a railing； through which he saw a green lawn。
At the entrance of the porter's lodge a woman sat knitting。
〃Can you tell me where M。 Moriaz lives？〃 asked Count Larinski。
〃Here； monsieur；〃 she replied； 〃but M。 Moriaz is absent； he will not
return for a month。 If you come from a distance； monsieur；〃 she added；
graciously； 〃perhaps you would like to rest awhile on the terrace。 The view
is beautiful。〃
This hospitable reception seemed a good omen； for； sensible as he was；
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he believed in presentiments and prognostics。 He entered without waiting
to be urged。 When he had crossed the lawn he stood facing two detached
buildings； separated by a mass of verdure： to the right； an old summer…
house； used from time immemorial for M。 Moriaz's collections； laboratory；
and library； to the left； a new two…story house； part stone； part brick； built
in an elegant but unobtrusive style； without ornament or pretension； and
flanked by a turret covered with ivy and clematis； which served for a
dove…cote。 The house was not a palace； but there was an air about it of
well…being； comfort； and happiness。 In looking at it you felt like saying；
〃The inmates here ought to be happy！〃 This was about what Count Abel
said to himself； in fact； he could hardly refrain from exclaiming； 〃Dieu！
how happy I shall be here！〃 The situation； the terrace； the garden；
everything pleased him infinitely。 It seemed to him that the air here was
fresher； more delightful than elsewhere； that it was exhilarating in the
extreme； it seemed to him that the grass on the lawn was greener than any
grass he ever had seen before； that the flowers in the carefully tended
borders exhaled an unusually delicious perfume。 He espied an open
window on the ground…floor。 He drew near it； the room into which he
gazed； full of /bric…a…brac/ of exquisite choice； was Mlle。 Moriaz's study。
There was in the appearance of this little sanctuary； hung with white silken
drapery； and as elegant as the divinity whose favourite tarrying…place it
was； something of purity； chastity； and maidenliness。 It opened its
windows to the fresh breezes and to the perfume of the flowers； but it
seemed as if nothing could penetrate there that was coarse or suspicious；
that the entrance was forbidden to all doubtful or malignant beings who
might have a secret crime to hide； to all pilgrims through life who had
travelled its highways and had brought hence dust and mud on the soles of
their shoes。 Strange to say； Count Abel experienced an attack of timidity
and embarrassment。 He felt that he was indiscreet； he averted his eyes and
went away。
This impression was soon dispelled。 He regained his assurance； and
walked around the terrace twice； treading the gravel with the step of a
conqueror； making it feel the full weight of his foot。 He finally seated
himself on a bench； he had the nonchalant attitude of a man who is at
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home。 Five or six doves were billing and cooing on the ledge of the roof；
he could readily understand that they were talking of him； and that they
were saying； 〃Here he iswe have been waiting for him。〃 A beautiful
Angora cat； white as snow； with delicate nose and silky hair； came； arching
her back and waving her bushy tail； from out a grove； and advanced
towards him。 She examined him curiously an instant； rubbed herself
against the bench； and then sat coquettishly at the feet of the intruder。 He
caressed her； saying： 〃You are as white and graceful as your mistress； you
are an intelligent animal； you understand； my dear； that I come from her。
Shall I tell you a secret？ She loves Count Abel Larinski。〃
With these words he rose and left； after thanking the portress； who
would have been extremely astonished had she been aware of the
reflections that had just been occupying his mind。 He w