lowed; the very memory of it is
too much for my weak and failing spirits. Claude flung himself at my
feet, and confessed his love. He declared his willingness to submit to
any or everything I should dictate: he would join the army; he would
volunteer for Egypt. Poor fellow! his trembling accents and bloodless
lip comported ill with the heroism of his words. Only promise that in
the end Marie should be his, and there was no danger he would not dare,
no course in life, however unsuited to him, he would not follow at my
bidding. I know not whether my heart could have withstood such an appeal
as this, had I been free to act; but now the die was cast. I handed
him the First Consul's letter. He opened it with a hand trembling like
palsy, and read it over; he leaned his head against the chimney when he
finished, and gave me back the letter without a word. I could not bear
to look on him, and left the room.

"When I returned he was gone. We left the chateau the same evening for
Paris. Marie scarcely spoke one word during the journey; a fatuous,
stupid indifference to everything and every one had seized her, and she
seemed perfectly careless whither we went. This gradually yielded to a
settled melancholy, which never left her. On our arrival in Paris, I did
not dare to present myself with her at the Tuileries; so, feigning
her ill health as an excuse, I remained some weeks at Versailles, to
endeavor by affection and care to overcome this sad feature of her
malady. It was about six weeks after this that I read in the 'Journal
des Debats' an announcement that, Claude de Lauzan had accepted holy
orders, and was appointed _cure_ of La Fleche, in Brittany.' At first
the news came on me like a thunder-clap; but after a while's reflection
I began to believe it was perhaps the very best thing could have
happened. And under this view of the matter I left the paper in Marie's
way.

"I was right. She did not appear the next morning at breakfast, nor the
entire day after. The following day the same; but in the evening came
a few lines written with a pencil, saying she wished to see me. I
went;--but I cannot tell you. My very heart is bursting as I think of
her, as she sat up in her bed; her long, dark hair falling in heavy
masses over her shoulders, and her darker eyes flashing with a
brightness that seemed like wandering intellect. She fell upon my neck
and cried; her tears ran down my cheek, and her sobs shook me. I know
not what I said