ret it thus: I imagine two beings, equally free and strong, loving
and valuing each other beyond all else, having no affection, no loyalty,
no devotion, no honor, except toward each other--but possessing all for
each other in a supreme degree.

"I give and consecrate absolutely to you, my person, all that I can be,
or may become, on condition of an equal return, still preserving the same
social conventionalities, without which we should both be miserable.

"Secretly united, and secretly isolated; though in the midst of the human
herd, governing and despising it; uniting our gifts, our faculties, and
our powers, our two Parisian royalties--yours, which can not be greater,
and mine, which shall become greater if you love me and living thus, one
for the other, until death. You have dreamed, you told me, of strange and
almost sacrilegious love. Here it is; only before accepting it, reflect
well, for I assure you it is a serious thing. My love for you is
boundless. I love you enough to disdain and trample under foot that which
the meanest human being still respects. I love you enough to find in you
alone, in your single esteem, and in your sole tenderness, in the pride
and madness of being yours, oblivion and consolation for friendship
outraged, faith betrayed, and honor lost. But, Madame, this is a
sentiment which you will do well not to trifle with. You should
thoroughly understand this. If you desire my love, if you consent to this
alliance, opposed to all human laws, but grand and singular also, deign
to tell me so, and I shall fall at your feet. If you do not wish it, if
it terrifies you, if you are not prepared for the double obligation it
involves, tell me so, and fear not a word of reproach. Whatever it might
cost me--I would ruin my life, I would leave you forever, and that which
passed yesterday should be eternally forgotten."

He ceased, and remained with his eyes fixed on the young woman with a
burning anxiety. As he went on speaking her air became more grave; she
listened to him, her head a little inclined toward him in an attitude of
overpowering interest, throwing upon him at intervals a glance full of
gloomy fire. A slight but rapid palpitation of the bosom, a scarcely
perceptible quivering of the nostrils, alone betrayed the storm raging
within her.

"This," she said, after a moment's silence, "becomes really interesting;
but you do not intend to leave this evening, I suppose?"

"No," said Camors.

"Ve