nvited to come. But a man solemnly betrothed to a
mademoiselle like the Signora Cicogna, in a time of such dire calamity
and peril, could scarcely allow himself to be tempted to accept the
invitation of one so beautiful, and so warmly attached to him, as is
Mademoiselle Julie; and on witnessing the passionate strength of that
attachment, say that he cannot keep a promise not to repeat his visits.
But if I mistake, and you are still betrothed to the Signorina, of
course all discussion is at an end."

Gustave hung his head in some shame, and in much bewildered doubt.

The practised observer of men's characters, and of shifting phases of
mind, glanced at the poor poet's perturbed countenance with a half-smile
of disdain.

"It is for you to judge how far the very love to you so ingenuously
evinced by my ward--how far the reasons against marriage with one
whose antecedents expose her to reproach--should influence one of your
advanced opinions upon social ties. Such reasons do not appear to have
with artists the same weight they have with the bourgeoisie. I have but
to add that the husband of Julie will receive with her hand a dot of
nearly 120,000 francs; and I have reason to believe that that fortune
will be increased--how much, I cannot guess-when the cessation of the
siege will allow communication with England. One word more. I should
wish to rank the husband of my ward in the number of my friends. If
he did not oppose the political opinions with which I identify my own
career, I should be pleased to make any rise in the world achieved by me
assist to the raising of himself. But my opinions, as during the time we
were brought together you were made aware, are those of a practical man
of the world, and have nothing in common with Communists, Socialists,
Internationalists, or whatever sect would place the aged societies
of Europe in Medea's caldron of youth. At a moment like the present,
fanatics and dreamers so abound that the number of such sinners will
necessitate a general amnesty when order is restored. What a poet so
young as you may have written or said at such a time will be readily
forgotten and forgiven a year or two hence, provided he does not put his
notions into violent action. But if you choose to persevere in the
views you now advocate, so be it. They will not make poor Julie less a
believer in your wisdom and genius. Only they will separate you from me,
and a day may come when I should have the painful dut