"What duke?"

"My jealous old duke."

"He will know nothing."

"And if he should?"

"He would forgive you."

"Ah, no, he would leave me, and what would become of me?"

"You risk that for some one else."

"How do you know?" "By the order you gave not to admit any one
to-night." "It is true; but that is a serious friend."

"For whom you care nothing, as you have shut your door against
him at such an hour."

"It is not for you to reproach me, since it was in order to
receive you, you and your friend."

Little by little I had drawn nearer to Marguerite. I had put my
arms about her waist, and I felt her supple body weigh lightly on
my clasped hands.

"If you knew how much I love you!" I said in a low voice. "Really
true?"