ne,' said Serge.

'Serge, I love you,' Albine answered.

And never before had those syllables 'I love you' had for them so
supreme a meaning. They expressed everything. Joy pervaded those young
lovers, who had attained to the fulness of life. They felt that they
were now on a footing of equality with the forces of the world; and with
their happiness mingled the placid conviction that they had obeyed the
universal law. And Serge seemed to have awakened to life, lion-like,
to rule the whole far expanse under the free heavens. His feet planted
themselves more firmly on the ground, his chest expanded, there was
pride and confidence in his gait and demeanour. He took Albine by the
hands, she was trembling, and he was obliged to support her.

'Don't be afraid,' he said; 'you are she whom I love.'

It was Albine now who had become the submissive one. She drooped her
head upon his shoulder, glancing up at him with anxious scrutiny. Would
he never bear her spite for that hour of adoration in which he had
called himself her slave? But he smiled, and stroked her hair, while
she said to him: 'Let me stay like this, in your arms, for I cannot
walk without you. I will make myself so small and light, that you will
scarcely know I am there.' Then becoming very serious she added, 'You
must always love me; and I will be very obedient and do whatever you
wish. I will yield to you in all things if you but love me.'

Serge felt more powerful and virile on seeing her so humble. 'Why are
you trembling so?' he asked her; 'I can have no cause to reproach you.'

But she did not answer him, she gazed almost sadly upon the tree and the
foliage and the grass around them.

'Foolish child!' he said, laughing; 'are you afraid that I shall be
angry with you for your love? We have loved as we were meant to love.
Let me kiss you.'

But, dropping her eyelids so that she might not see the tree, she said,
in a low whisper, 'Take me away!'

Serge led her thence, pacing slowly and giving one last glance at the
spot which love had hallowed. The shadows in the clearing were growing
darker, and a gentle quiver coursed through the foliage. When they
emerged from the wood and caught sight of the sun, still shining
brightly in the horizon, they felt easier. Everything around Serge now
seemed to bend down before him and pay homage to his love. The garden
was now nothing but an appanage of Albine's beauty, and seemed to have
grown larger and fairer amid the