Part 50 (1/2)
Thereupon Eugenie looked about in every direction. Still holding her daughter in her arms, she walked to the edge of the terrace and looked out upon the road. I heard her say to her daughter:
”It wasn't you who cried when you fell, was it?”
”No, mamma.”
”Who was it then?”
”I don't know, mamma.”
”Is your nurse in the garden?”
”I don't know.”
”But no; it wasn't the nurse who cried out in that way.”
Her eyes were still searching; she looked in every direction, and I dared not stir; I was afraid to move a leaf; but in a moment she said:
”Let us go in, Henriette.”
”I'd rather stay in the garden.”
”But if you should fall again----”
”No, I won't run any more; I will play quietly.”
She walked away, and my daughter remained behind. I wondered if I might take advantage of that moment. But the wall was rather high; how could I get to her? Ah! by mounting my horse, I could do it perhaps.
I climbed down from my tree, and ran back to Pettermann, who was still in the saddle; I mounted my horse and motioned to my companion to follow me. In a moment I was beside the garden wall again. I stood on my horse, reached the top of the wall, jumped, and in a moment was on the terrace, leaving Pettermann staring at me with amazement, but without uttering a word.
I walked a few steps into the garden; I saw my daughter, I ran to her, took her in my arms and covered her with kisses before she had time to recognize me; at last she was able to look at me and she cried joyfully:
”It is papa! my little papa! you have come back, haven't you? I keep asking mamma every day if you are coming back.”
”Hush, hush, my child; come this way, on the terrace; I don't want to be seen from the house.”
”Wait; I will go and call mamma.”
”No, no; don't go; stay with me, don't leave me; it is so long since I have kissed you, dear child! Do you think of me sometimes?”
”Oh! yes, papa, I longed so for you.”
”You longed to see me? And your mother, what does she say when you ask her about me?”
”She doesn't say anything; she just says: 'That will do; don't mention your papa.'”
”She doesn't want you to think of me, she wants you to forget me!”
”And yet she talks about you all day.”