EMILIE!

I ran the dusty road back to the village, my heart bounding with excitement and surprise. I had thought of her so much, yet I always felt it was just another stupid dream to actually believe that I would ever see Emilie again!

I took a shortcut¹ through the stables and blacksmith stalls, and saw her in the square-with her maid. She wore a simple linen² dress, her hair pinned up under a cap, and a plain brown riding cloak about her shoulders. And yet she was lovely, so beautiful. I had to tell myself this was no dream. She was here!

I came out from behind the barn and let her see me. I did not know whether to run and sweep Emilie up into the air or just stand there. In all the world, my lady, I finally said, you have no idea what joy this brings me.

`In all the world' isright , Hugh De Luc. She smiled, her eyes twinkling. For it feels as though I have traveled it to find you.

How I ached to wrap her in my arms. I did not know what feelings had brought her here-or even what feelings were my own. So I held back. She was still a noble, and I was there in torn rags and a patched skirt.

I'm sorry for your trouble. I shook my head. But you are a sight for dreaming eyes no matter how far you've come. Buthow... ? How did you find me here?

You said you were from the south. Emilie picked up her satchel³ and walked up to me. So I merely went to the spot where we found you on the road and continued south. And south. Andsouth even more. Every village we passed, I asked, `Is there a very strange person here who has come from Bor俥, who wears a jester's suit?' I had gone so far south I thought I would hear Spanish, when this nice boy answered, `Yes, ma'am. You must mean Hugh.' I thanked God to hear that word, since we could not drag ourselves one more mile. This is Elena. She waved her attendant forward. She accompanied me on the trip.

Elena. I bowed. I have seen you at Bor俥.

The servant curtsied wearily, clearly delighted their journey had come to an end.

I turned back to Emilie. So tell me, how have you come here? I shook my head. And why?

Because I promised I would see you again. Because I told you I would do what I could do to find you the answers you sought. I will explain later.

And you came all this way alone? The two of you? Do you not know the risk you took?

I told Anne that I had arranged a visit to my aunt Isabel in Toulon. There was such commotion

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1 shortcut
n.近路，捷径
参考例句：
He was always looking for a shortcut to fame and fortune.他总是在找成名发财的捷径。 If you take the shortcut,it will be two li closer.走抄道去要近2里路。

2 linen
n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的
参考例句：
The worker is starching the linen.这名工人正在给亚麻布上浆。 Fine linen and cotton fabrics were known as well as wool.精细的亚麻织品和棉织品像羊毛一样闻名遐迩。

3 satchel
n.(皮或帆布的)书包
参考例句：
The school boy opened the door and flung his satchel in.那个男学生打开门，把他的书包甩了进去。 She opened her satchel and took out her father's gloves.打开书箱，取出了她父亲的手套来。

4 commotion
n.骚动，动乱
参考例句：
They made a commotion by yelling at each other in the theatre.他们在剧院里相互争吵，引起了一阵骚乱。 Suddenly the whole street was in commotion.突然间，整条街道变得一片混乱。

5 preposterous
adj.荒谬的，可笑的
参考例句：
The whole idea was preposterous.整个想法都荒唐透顶。 It would be preposterous to shovel coal with a teaspoon.用茶匙铲煤是荒谬的。

6 stature
n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材
参考例句：
He is five feet five inches in stature.他身高5英尺5英寸。 The dress models are tall of stature.时装模特儿的身材都较高。

7 hearth
n.壁炉炉床，壁炉地面
参考例句：
She came and sat in a chair before the hearth.她走过来，在炉子前面的椅子上坐下。 She comes to the hearth,and switches on the electric light there.她走到壁炉那里，打开电灯。