iling back at them.

And soon as they were alone, Clotilde went frankly straight over to
Ramond, with both hands outstretched. Taking his hands in hers, she held
them as she spoke.

"Listen, my dear friend; I am going to give you a great grief. You must
not be too angry with me, for I assure you that I have a very profound
friendship for you."

He understood at once, and he turned very pale.

"Clotilde give me no answer now, I beg of you; take more time, if you
wish to reflect further."

"It is useless, my dear friend, my decision is made."

She looked at him with her fine, loyal look. She had not released his
hands, in order that he might know that she was not excited, and that
she was his friend. And it was he who resumed, in a low voice:

"Then you say no?"

"I say no, and I assure you that it pains me greatly to say it. Ask me
nothing; you will no doubt know later on."

He sat down, crushed by the emotion which he repressed like a strong and
self-contained man, whose mental balance the greatest sufferings cannot
disturb. Never before had any grief agitated him like this. He remained
mute, while she, standing, continued:

"And above all, my friend, do not believe that I have played the
coquette with you. If I have allowed you to hope, if I have made you
wait so long for my answer, it was because I did not in very truth see
clearly myself. You cannot imagine through what a crisis I have just
passed--a veritable tempest of emotions, surrounded by darkness from out
of which I have but just found my way."

He spoke at last.

"Since it is your wish, I will ask you nothing. Besides, it is
sufficient for you to answer one question. You do not love me,
Clotilde?"

She did not hesitate, but said gravely, with an emotion which softened
the frankness of her answer:

"It is true, I do not love you; I have only a very sincere affection for
you."

He rose, and stopped by a gesture the kind words which she would have
added.

"It is ended; let us never speak of it again. I wished you to be happy.
Do not grieve for me. At this moment I feel as if the house had just
fallen about me in ruins. But I must only extricate myself as best I
can."

A wave of color passed over his pale face, he gasped for air, he crossed
over to the window, then he walked back with a heavy step, seeking
to recover his self-possession. He drew a long breath. In the painful
silence which had fallen they heard Pascal coming upstairs noisil