Charles, of course, fell in
love with Mathilde, and out again after half-an-hour's conversation.
There was something cold and calculating about Mathilde which held
him at arm's length with as much efficacy as the strictest duenna.
Indeed, there are some maidens who require no better chaperon for
their hearts than their own heads.
A few days after this introduction Charles met Mathilde and Desiree
in the Langgasse, and he fell in love with Desiree. He went about
for a whole week seeking opportunity to tell her without delay what
had happened to him. The opportunity presented itself before long;
for one morning he saw her walking quickly towards the Kuh-brucke
with her skates swinging from her wrist. It was a sunny, still,
winter morning, such as temperate countries never know. Desiree's
eyes were bright with youth and happiness. The cold air had
slightly emphasized the rosy colour of her cheeks.
Charles caught his breath at the sight of her, though she did not
happen to perceive him. He called a sleigh and drove to the
barracks for his own skates. Then to the Kuh-brucke, where a reach
of the Mottlau was cleared and kept in order for skating. He
overpaid the sleigh-driver and laughed aloud at the man's boorish
surprise. There was no one so happy as Charles Darragon in all the
world. He was going to tell Desiree that he loved her.
At first Desiree was surprised, as was only natural. For she had
not thought again of the pleasant young officer introduced to her by
Mathilde.
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