Welcome to Welcome back everyone to 1001 Stories for the Road. This is your host and storyteller, John Haggardorn. And what a journey this has been. Today, chapter 57, in the Lucerne patch.

What was Lucerne, you might ask?

Actually, it was a high-protein hay, a real treat for horses and livestock.

Much desired and well-paid for.

This was the patch that Maximilian Morel was working.

And now our story.

Chapter 57 in the Lucerne patch.

Our readers must now allow us to transport them again to the enclosure surrounding Monsieur de Villefort's house, and, behind the gate, half-screened from

view by the large chestnut trees, which on all sides spread their luxuriant branches.

We shall find some people of our acquaintance.

This time, Maximilian was the first to arrive.

He was intently watching for a shadow to appear among the trees, and awaiting with anxiety the sound of a light step on the gravel walk.

At length, the long-desired sound was heard, and instead of one figure, as he had expected, he perceived that two were approaching him.

The delay had been occasioned by a visit from Madame Danglars and Eugenie,

"'which had been prolonged beyond the time at which Valentine was expected.

"'That she might not appear to fail in her promise to Maximilian,

"'she proposed to Mademoiselle Danglars that they should take a walk into garden, "'being anxious to show that the delay, which was doubtless a cause of vexation to him,

"'was not occasioned by any neglect on her part.

The young man, with the intuitive perception of a lover, quickly understood the circumstances

in which she was involuntarily placed, and he was comforted.

Besides, although she avoided coming within speaking distance, Valentine arranged so that Maximilian

could see her pass and repass, and each time she went by, she managed, unperceived by her

...