Isidore was much affected in parting with him as his joy at recovering his father made the loss of his brother more painful.
At this the door opened for a servant to call: "The Viscount of Charny is asked for in the Queen's apartments."
"You will wait for me," said Isidore; "unless your father comes, promise me, Gilbert, for I am answerable for you to the doctor."
"Yes, and receive my thanks in the meantime," rejoined Sebastian, resuming his place on the sofa as the Viscount left the room with the domestic.
Easy about his father's fate, and himself, certain that the good intent would earn his forgiveness for the journey, he went back in memory to Father Fortier, and on Pitou, and reflected on the trouble which his flight and his note would cause them severally.
And naturally, by the mechanism of ideas, he thought of the woods around Pitou's home, where he had so often pursued the ghost in his reverie. The White Lady seen so oft in visions, and once only in reality, he believed in Satory Wood, appearing and flitting away in a magnificent carriage drawn by a galloping pair.
He recalled the profound emotion this sight had given him and half plunged in dreams anew, he murmured:
At this juncture, a door in the wall over against him opened. A woman appeared. This appearance was so much in harmony with what happened in his fancy, that he started to see his ghost take substance. In this woman was the vision and the reality--the lady seen at Satory.
He sprang up as though a spring had acted under his feet.
His lips tightened on one another, his eyes expanded, and the pupils dilated. His heaving breast in vain endeavored to form a sound.
Majestic, haughty and disdainful, the lady passed him without any heed. Calm as she was externally, yet her pale countenance, frowning brow and whistling respiration, betrayed that she was in great nervous irritation.
She crossed the room diagonally, opened another door, and walked into a corridor.
Sebastian comprehended that she was escaping him, if he did not hasten. He still looked as if apprehensive that it was a ghost, but then darted after her, before the skirt of her silken robe had disappeared round the turning of the lobby.
Hearing steps behind her, she walked more briskly as if fearing pursuit.