Part 19 (1/2)
Marguerite opened the drawer of a side-table and threw the bank-notes into it.
”Will you permit me to get into bed?” she said with a smile, as she moved toward the bed.
”Not only permit, but I beg of you.”
She turned back the covering and got into bed.
”Now,” said she, ”come and sit down by me, and let's have a talk.”
Prudence was right: the answer that she had brought to Marguerite had put her into a good humour.
”Will you forgive me for my bad temper tonight?” she said, taking my hand.
”I am ready to forgive you as often as you like.”
”And you love me?”
”Madly.”
”In spite of my bad disposition?”
”In spite of all.”
”You swear it?”
”Yes,” I said in a whisper.
Nanine entered, carrying plates, a cold chicken, a bottle of claret, and some strawberries.
”I haven't had any punch made,” said Nanine; ”claret is better for you.
Isn't it, sir?”
”Certainly,” I replied, still under the excitement of Marguerite's last words, my eyes fixed ardently upon her.
”Good,” said she; ”put it all on the little table, and draw it up to the bed; we will help ourselves. This is the third night you have sat up, and you must be in want of sleep. Go to bed. I don't want anything more.”
”Shall I lock the door?”
”I should think so! And above all, tell them not to admit anybody before midday.”
Chapter 12
At five o'clock in the morning, as the light began to appear through the curtains, Marguerite said to me: ”Forgive me if I send you away; but I must. The duke comes every morning; they will tell him, when he comes, that I am asleep, and perhaps he will wait until I wake.”
I took Marguerite's head in my hands; her loosened hair streamed about her; I gave her a last kiss, saying: ”When shall I see you again?”
”Listen,” she said; ”take the little gilt key on the mantelpiece, open that door; bring me back the key and go. In the course of the day you shall have a letter, and my orders, for you know you are to obey blindly.”
”Yes; but if I should already ask for something?”
”What?”