wn the preceding evening. To remain silent and dignified
in his presence; from time to time to irritate him by affected disdain,
by a contemptuous word; to provoke him to threats and violence which
would produce a contrast with her own resignation--such was her plan.
Felton would see all; perhaps he would say nothing, but he would see.

In the morning, Felton came as usual; but Milady allowed him to preside
over all the preparations for breakfast without addressing a word to
him. At the moment when he was about to retire, she was cheered with a
ray of hope, for she thought he was about to speak; but his lips moved
without any sound leaving his mouth, and making a powerful effort to
control himself, he sent back to his heart the words that were about
to escape from his lips, and went out. Toward midday, Lord de Winter
entered.

It was a tolerably fine winter's day, and a ray of that pale English sun
which lights but does not warm came through the bars of her prison.

Milady was looking out at the window, and pretended not to hear the door
as it opened.

"Ah, ah!" said Lord de Winter, "after having played comedy, after having
played tragedy, we are now playing melancholy?"

The prisoner made no reply.

"Yes, yes," continued Lord de Winter, "I understand. You would like very
well to be at liberty on that beach! You would like very well to be in
a good ship dancing upon the waves of that emerald-green sea; you would
like very well, either on land or on the ocean, to lay for me one of
those nice little ambuscades you are so skillful in planning. Patience,
patience! In four days' time the shore will be beneath your feet, the
sea will be open to you--more open than will perhaps be agreeable to
you, for in four days England will be relieved of you."

Milady folded her hands, and raising her fine eyes toward heaven, "Lord,
Lord," said she, with an angelic meekness of gesture and tone, "pardon
this man, as I myself pardon him."

"Yes, pray, accursed woman!" cried the baron; "your prayer is so much
the more generous from your being, I swear to you, in the power of a man
who will never pardon you!" and he went out.

At the moment he went out a piercing glance darted through the opening
of the nearly closed door, and she perceived Felton, who drew quickly to
one side to prevent being seen by her.

Then she threw herself upon her knees, and began to pray.

"My God, my God!" said she, "thou knowest in what holy cause I suf