Had he been less agitated, he would have seen what a terrible effort
this semblance of calmness cost the young girl. He would have understood
it from her pallor, from the contraction of her lips, from the redness
of the eyelids which she had vainly bathed with fresh water, and which
betrayed the tears that had fallen during the night.

"If I have come," she continued, "it is only to tell you that, for
your own sake, as well as for mine, there must not remain in the secret
recesses of your heart even the slightest shadow of a hope. All is over;
we are separated forever! Only weak natures revolt against a destiny
which they cannot alter. Let us accept our fate uncomplainingly. I
wished to see you once more, and to say this: Have courage, Maurice. Go
away--leave Escorval--forget me!"

"Forget you, Marie-Anne!" exclaimed the wretched young man, "forget
you!"

His eyes met hers, and in a husky voice he added:

"Will you then forget me?"

"I am a woman, Maurice--"

But he interrupted her:

"Ah! I did not expect this," he said, despondently. "Poor fool that I
was! I believed that you would find a way to touch your father's heart."

She blushed slightly, hesitated, and said: