As they were riding through a little pine wood, near the boundary line of the estate, the barking of hounds was heard, and presently the party met the beautiful Yolande de Foix, followed by her old uncle, and one or two attendant cavaliers.  The road was very narrow, and there was scarcely room to pass, though each party endeavoured to make way for the other.  Yolande’s horse was prancing about restively, and the skirt of her long riding-habit brushed Isabelle’s as she passed her.  She was furiously angry, and sorely tempted to address some cutting words to the “Bohemienne” she had once so cruelly insulted; but Isabelle, who had a soul above such petty malice, and had long ago forgiven Yolande for her unprovoked insolence, felt how much her own triumph must wound the other’s proud spirit, and with perfect dignity and grace bowed to Mlle. de Foix, who could not do less than respond by a slight inclination of her haughty head, though her heart was filled with rage, and she had much ado to control herself.  The Baron de Sigognac, with a quiet, unembarrassed air, had bowed respectfully to the fair huntress, who looked eagerly, but in vain, into the eyes of her former adorer for a spark of the old flame that used to blaze up in them at sight of her.  Angry and disappointed, she gave her horse a sharp cut with the whip, and swept away at a gallop.

“Now, by Venus and all the Loves,” said Vallombreuse to the Marquis de Bruyeres, beside whom he was riding, “that girl is a beauty, but she looked deucedly savage and cross.  How she did glare at my sister, eh! as if she wanted to stab her.”

“When one has long been the acknowledged queen of a neighbourhood,” the marquis replied, “it is not pleasant to be dethroned, you know, and every one must admit that Mme. la Baronne de Sigognac bears off the palm.”

The gay cavalcade, after a long ride, returned to the chateau, to find a sumptuous repast awaiting them in the magnificent banqueting hall, where the poor young baron had once supped with the wandering comedians, upon their own provisions.  What a transformation had been effected! now a superb service of silver, bearing the family arms, shone upon the fine damask that covered the table, in which also the three storks were apparent, while beautiful porcelain and dainty glass, lovely flowers and luscious fruits contributed to the attractions of the bountifully furnished board.  Isabelle sat in the same place she had occupied on the eventful night that had changed the destiny of the young lord of the chateau, and she could not but think of, and live over, that widely different occasion, as did also the baron, and the married lovers exchanged furtive smiles and glances, in which tender memories and bright hopes were happily mingled.