even so skilled a diplomatist as
Monsieur Doltaire, I almost tremble. I see how, if God had not given me
something here"--she placed her hand upon her heart--"that saves me, I
might be like Madame Cournal, and far worse, far worse than she. For I
love power--I do love it; I can see that!"

She did not realize that it was her strict honesty with herself that was
her true safeguard.

But here is the story she told me:

"When I left you, last night, I went at once to my home, and was glad to
get in without being seen. At nine o'clock we were to be at the Chateau,
and while my sister Georgette was helping me with my toilette--oh, how
I wished she would go and leave me quite alone!--my head was in a whirl,
and now and then I could feel my heart draw and shake like a half-choked
pump, and there was a strange pain behind my eyes. Georgette is of such
a warm disposition, so kind always to me, whom she would yield to in
everything, so simple in her affections, that I seemed standing there by
her like an intrigante, as one who had got wisdom at the price of a good
something lost. But do not think, Robert, that for one instant I was
sorry I played a part, and have done so for a long year and more. I
would do it and more again, if it were for you.

"Georgette could not understand why it was I stopped all at once and
caught her head to my breast, as she sat by me where I stood arranging
my gown. I do not know quite why I did it, but perhaps it was from my
yearning that never should she have a lover in such sorrow and danger
as mine, and that never should she have to learn to mask her heart as I
have done. Ah, sometimes I fear, Robert, that when all is over, and
you are free, and you see what the world and all this playing at
hide-and-seek have made me, you will feel that such as Georgette, who
have never looked inside the hearts of wicked people, and read the tales
therein for knowledge to defeat wickedness--that such as she were better
fitted for your life and love. No, no, please do not take my hand--not
till you have heard all I am going to tell."

She continued quietly; yet her eye flashed out now and then, and now and
then, also, something in her thoughts as to how she, a weak, powerless
girl, had got her ends against astute evil men, sent a little laugh to
her lips; for she had by nature as merry a heart as serious.

"At nine o'clock we came to the Chateau St. Louis from Ste. Anne Street,
where our winter home is--yet h