d
me for a moment to suspend my speech. After a pause, I resumed it,
determined to come at once to the point, "You will pardon me,
Mademoiselle, for this free interest in your affairs--you will pardon me
for asking. Do I not recognise in Monsieur Gayarre the cause of your
unhappiness?"

She started at the question, and turned visibly paler. In a moment,
however, she seemed to recover herself, and replied calmly, but with a
look of strange significance:--

"Helas! Monsieur, your suspicions are but _partially_ correct. Helas!
Oh! God, support me!" she added, in a tone that sounded like despair.
Then, as if by an effort, her manner seemed to undergo a sudden
alteration, and she continued:--

"Please, Monsieur, let us change the subject? I owe you life and
gratitude. Would I knew how to repay you for your generous gallantry--
your--your--_friendship_. Perhaps some day you may know all. I would
tell you now, but--but--Monsieur--there are--I cannot--"

"Mademoiselle Besancon, I entreat you, do not for a moment let the
questions I have asked have any consideration. They were not put from
idle curiosity. I need not tell you, Mademoiselle, that my motive was
of a higher kind--"

"I know it, Monsieur--I know it; but no more of it now, I pray you--let
us speak on some other subject."

Some other subject! I had no longer the choice of one. I had no longer
control of my tongue. The subject which was nearest my heart sprang
spontaneously to my lips; and in hurried words I declared my love for
Aurore.

I detailed the whole course of my passion, from the hour of my dreamlike
vision up to that when we had plighted our mutual troth.

My listener was seated upon the low ottoman directly before me; but from
motives of bashfulness I had kept my eyes averted during the time I was
speaking. She heard me without interruption, and I augured well from
this silence.

I concluded at length, and with trembling heart was awaiting her reply;
when a deep sigh, followed by a rustling sound, caused me suddenly to
turn. _Eugenie had fallen upon the floor_!

With a glance I saw she had fainted. I flung my arms around her, and
carried her to the sofa.

I was about to call for assistance when the door opened, and a form
glided into the room. _It was Aurore_!

"_Mon Dieu_!" exclaimed the latter; "_vous l'avez faire mourir! Elle
t'aime--Elle t'aime_!"

CHAPTER THIRTY.

THOUGHTS.

That night I passed without repose