they only acted?"

"Oh, madame," broke in the chevalier, with an expression of the deepest
indignation, "how can you for an instant imagine that a human heart could
be so perverted? I am not acquainted with the man whom the commander
accused you of loving, but whoever he may be I feel sure that he is
worthy of your love, and that he would never have consented to such a
dastardly joke. Neither would my uncle; his jealousy mastered him and
drove him mad--

"But I am not dependent on him; I am my own master, and can do as I
please. I will hinder this duel; I will not allow the illusion and
ignorance of him who loves you and, alas that I must say it, whom you
love, to be dispelled, for it is in them he finds his happiness. Be
happy with him! As for me, I shall never see you again; but the
recollection of this meeting, the joy of having served you, will be my
consolation."

Angelique raised her beautiful eyes, and gave the chevalier a long look
which expressed her gratitude more eloquently than words.

"May I be hanged!" thought Maitre Quennebert, "if the baggage isn't
making eyes at him already! But one who is drowning clutches at a
straw."

"Enough, madam," said the chevalier; "I understand all you would say. You
thank me in his name, and ask me to leave you: I obey-yes, madame, I am
going; at the risk of my life I will prevent this meeting, I will stifle
this fatal revelation. But grant me one last prayer-permit me to look
forward to seeing you once more before I leave this city, to which I wish
I had never come. But I shall quit it in a day or two, to-morrow
perhaps--as soon as I know that your happiness is assured. Oh! do not
refuse my last request; let the light of your eyes shine on me for the
last time; after that I shall depart--I shall fly far away for ever. But
if perchance, in spite of every effort, I fail, if the commander's
jealousy should make him impervious to my entreaties--to my tears, if he
whom you love should come and overwhelm you with reproaches and then
abandon you, would you drive me from your presence if I should then say,
'I love you'? Answer me, I beseech you."

"Go!" said she, "and prove worthy of my gratitude--or my love."

Seizing one of her hands, the chevalier covered it with passionate
kisses.

"Such barefaced impudence surpasses everything I could have imagined!"
murmured Quennebert: "fortunately, the play is over for to-night; if it
had gone on any longer, I should ha