ooms that suddenly
seemed so desolate and lifeless, and for the first time entered the
sleeping apartment, where the traces of a hasty departure were still
visible. On the toilette table, among various empty boxes, stood a
small bottle in which there was still a little essence of violet, a
perfume of which she had been particularly fond. He took advantage of a
moment when he was unobserved, to appropriate the useless relic. With
what strange emotions he stood beside the bed and gazed at the snow
white pillows on which her head had rested. "She was a beautiful girl,"
said the woman. "Even the most envious must admit that, and no princess
could be more stately. But mark my words, sir: one of these days her
name will appear in the papers, not on the first page where the
arrivals and departures of the aristocracy are announced, but among the
miscellaneous news, accidents and sentences of imprisonment for ten
years or for life. Why shouldn't she have waited for the count, who's
such a charming gentleman? If a girl has a good conscience, she doesn't
try to be peculiar, but is neither better nor worse than other mortals.
Believe me, I know the world, and haven't rented rooms for ten years to
the very best class of lodgers for nothing."

A feeling of inexpressible loathing overpowered Edwin. He hastily
turned away, promising to call again some other time, and left the
house, in the deepest melancholy.

CHAPTER VII.

She had not left a line for him, not even a note to say farewell; it
was too much kindness to say: 'I'm going for such and such reasons, to
such and such a place.' He was of so little importance to her, she was
so utterly indifferent to what he must feel at her sudden
disappearance. No nomad who strikes his tent, leaves his camping ground
without casting a glance toward the fire where he prepared his meals,
the spring that refreshed him, although he knows he shall find
the same friendly elements everywhere. And he, whom she had called
"friend";--what a horribly cold heart, that can prize the best
treasures so lightly, leave the most unselfish devotion in the lurch so
carelessly, like a bottle of perfume, which was pleasant to the senses,
but which can be bought in any shop.

And on a creature of such a shallow mind, such an icy heart, he had for
weeks lavished his thoughts and opinions; nay his very anguish when he
had determined to break loose from her bonds, told him only