the more for knowing that you were filled with surprise and resentment
when told that your offense was one deserving punishment. And now, my
son, I have to tell you that you will not be separated from us, for the
mother of the house has willed that your offense shall be pardoned."

I looked in surprise at Chastel, for this was very unexpected: she was
gazing at my face with the light of a strange tenderness in her eyes,
never seen there before. She extended her hand, and, kneeling before
her, I took it in mine and raised it to my lips, and tried, with poor
success, to speak my thanks for this rare and beautiful act of mercy.
Then the others surrounded me to express their congratulations, the men
pressing my hands, but not so the women, for they all freely kissed me;
but when Yoletta, coming last, put her white arms about my neck and
pressed her lips to mine, the ecstasy I felt was so greatly overbalanced
by the pain of my position, and the thought, now almost a conviction,
that I was powerless to enlighten them with regard to the nature of the
love I felt for her, that I almost shrank from her dear embrace.






Chapter 17

My attack of illness, although sharp, had passed off so quickly that I
confidently looked to complete restoration to my former vigorous state
of health in a very short time. Nevertheless, many days went by, and I
failed to recover strength, but remained pretty much in that condition
of body in which I had quitted the sick-room. This surprised and