tave to do the same.

"Monsieur," said De Mauleon, "excuse me if I detain you. A very few
words will suffice for our present interview. I take it for granted that
Mademoiselle has told you that she is no child of Madame Surville's:
that her own mother bequeathed her to my protection and guardianship
with a modest fortune which is at my disposal to give or withhold. The
little I have seen already of Mademoiselle impresses me with sincere
interest in her fate. I look with compassion on what she may have been
in the past; I anticipate with hope what she may be in the future. I do
not ask you to see her in either with my eyes. I say frankly that it is
my intention, and I may add, my resolve, that the ward thus left to my
charge shall be henceforth safe from the temptations that have seduced
her poverty, her inexperience, her vanity, if you will, but have not yet
corrupted her heart. Bref, I must request you to give me your word of
honour that you will hold no further communication with her. I can allow
no sinister influence to stand between her fate and honour."

"You speak well and nobly, M. le Vicomte," said Rameau, "and I give the
promise you exact." He added, feelingly: "It is true her heart has never
been corrupted that is good, affectionate, unselfish as a child's. J'ai
l'honneur de vous saluer, M. le Vicomte."

He bowed with a dignity unusual to him, and tears were in his eyes as he
passed by De Mauleon and gained the anteroom. There a side-door suddenly
opened, and Julie's face, anxious, eager, looked forth.

Gustave paused: "Adieu, Mademoiselle! Adieu, though we may never meet
again,--though our fates divide us,--believe me that I shall ever
cherish your memory--and--"

The girl interrupted him, impulsively seizing his arm, and looking him
in the face with a wild fixed stare. "Hush! dost thou mean to say that
we are parted,--parted forever?"

"Alas!" said Gustave, "what option is before us? Your guardian rightly
forbids my visits; and even were I free to offer you my hand, you
yourself say that I am not a suitor he would approve."

Julie turned her eyes towards De Mauleon, who, following Gustave into
the ante-room, stood silent and impassive, leaning against the wall.

He now understood and replied to the pathetic appeal in the girl's eyes.

"My young ward," he said, "M. Rameau expresses himself with propriety
and truth. Suffer him to depart. He belongs to the former life;
reconcile yourself to the new."