"Oh, how I love you," he said, bewildered and enthralled; "I love you
because you retain, after the finished graces of woman have come, the
naive traits of the guileless girl. What a joy that I divined your
excellences when you were so young and that I was favored by your
regard, and now am gladdened by your trustful smiles."

"I trust you so much that I could wish this money did not weigh on your
bosom. I love you without it, and I shall love you as long as you live."

Seeming to be as exalted as he, she grasped both his hands and drew his
face nearer and nearer hers to look him in the eyes.

"I do not ask anything of you but to be good to me. Do not reproach me
for leaving my lawful lord for you! If there is a fault in quitting him
who neglects me, never cast it upon me. Let us go! anywhere, if but you
are ever beside me, to protect, to support and cherish!"

Her moist eyes were as eloquent as her lips, and to have doubted her, he
must have doubted all evidence of his senses. And yet it was that same
hand on which he had impressed a score of burning kisses that wrote
these lines:

"The faithless one will take the train at Montmorency Station this night
at nine."

And she deposited it, as had been agreed between her and Major Von
Sendlingen in a vase on the drawing-room mantel-shelf at the
marchioness's, where the viscount conducted her before their last
parting. It was one of those notes which burn in the hand, and so