ly as angels love'? Perhaps this might have helped
me to show you that I too am a man of honor."

"Perhaps I was wrong," sighed Josephine. "I think I should have trusted
more to you. But then, who would have thought you could really doubt my
love? You were ill; I could not bear you to go till you were well, quite
well. I saw no other way to keep you but this, to treat you with feigned
coldness. You saw the coldness, but not what it cost me to maintain it.
Yes, I was unjust; and inconsiderate, for I had many furtive joys to
sustain me: I had you in my house under my care--that thought was always
sweet--I had a hand in everything that was for your good, for your
comfort. I helped Jacintha make your soup and your chocolate every day.
I had the delight of lining the dressing-gown you were to wear. I had
always some little thing or other to do for you. These kept me up: I
forgot in my selfishness that you had none of these supports, and that
I was driving you to despair. I am a foolish, disingenuous woman: I have
been very culpable. Forgive me!"

"Forgive you, angel of purity and goodness? I alone am to blame.
What right had I to doubt your heart? I knew the whole story of your
marriage; I saw your sweet pale face; but I was not pure enough to
comprehend angelic virtue and unselfishness. Well, I am brought to
my senses. There is but one thing for me to do--you bade me leave you
to-morrow."

"I was very cruel."

"No! not cruel, wise. But I will be wiser. I shall go to-night."

"To-night, Camille?" said Josephine, turning pale.

"Ay! for to-night I am strong; to-morrow I may be weak. To-night
everything thrusts me on the right path. To-morrow everything will draw
me from it. Do not cry, beloved one; you and I have a hard fight. We
must be true allies; whenever one is weak, then is the time for the
other to be strong. I have been weaker than you, to my shame be it said;
but this is my hour of strength. A light from heaven shows me my path.
I am full of passion, but like you I have honor. You are Raynal's wife,
and--Raynal saved my life."

"Ah! is it possible? When? where? may Heaven bless him for it!"

"Ask HIM; and say I told you of it--I have not strength to tell it you,
but I will go to-night."

Then Josephine, who had resisted till all her strength was gone,
whispered with a blush that it was too late to get a conveyance.

"I need none to carry my sword, my epaulets, and my love for you. I
shall go on foot."