ratified; on the other I see an admirable friend whose sublime devotion
is ready to brave all prejudices; who--believing that I bear the smirch
of an indelible shame--is none the less prepared to cover the blot with
his protection."

"What! this wretch believes that I have done violence to you, and yet
does not challenge me to a duel?"

"That is not what he believes, Bernard. He knows that you rescued me
from Roche-Mauprat; but he thinks that you helped me too late, and that
I was the victim of the other brigands."

"And he wants to marry you, Edmee? Either the man's devotion is sublime,
as you say, or he is deeper in debt than you think."

"How dare you say that?" said Edmee angrily. "Such an odious explanation
of generous conduct can proceed only from an unfeeling soul or a
perverse mind. Be silent, unless you wish me to hate you."

"Say that you hate me, Edmee; say so without fear; I know it."

"Without fear! You should know likewise that I have not yet done you the
honour to fear you. However, tell me this: without inquiring into what
I intend to do, can you understand that you ought to give me my liberty,
and abandon your barbarous rights?"

"I understand nothing except that I love you madly, and that these nails
of mine shall tear out the heart of any man who tries to win you from
me. I know that I shall force you to love me, and that, if I do not
succeed, I will at any rate not let you belong to another while I am