Part 57 (2/2)
La Motte-Royau was an even eon's hands So are the other spadassinicides who drea a poor sheep of a provincial lawyer And here to-day comes the chief, the fine flower of these bully-swords overdue Be sure of that So if you have no other reason to urge”
It was the sarcasm of him that mystified her Could he possibly be sincere in his assurance that he ainst M de La Tour d'Azyr? To her in her lie, her mind filled with her uncle's contrary conviction, it see; he would act a part to the very end
Be that as it round to answer him
”You had my uncle's letter?”
”And I answered it”
”I know But what he said, he will fulfil Do not dream that he will relent if you carry out this horrible purpose”
”Come, now, that is a better reason than the other,” said he ”If there is a reason in the world that could move me it would be that But there is too much between La Tour d'Azyr and me There is an oath I swore on the dead hand of Philippe de Vilmorin I could never have hoped that God would affordit”
”You have not kept it yet,” she warned him
He smiled at her ”True!” he said ”But nine o'clock will soon be here
Tell me,” he asked her suddenly, ”why did you not carry this request of yours to M de La Tour d'Azyr?”
”I did,” she answered him, and flushed as she remembered her yesterday's rejection He interpreted the flush quite otherwise
”And he?” he asked
”M de La Tour d'Azyr's obligations” she was beginning: then she broke off to answer shortly: ”Oh, he refused”
”So, so He must, of course, whatever it may have cost hi But hed ”Also in your place, had that been so, I think I should have left the matter there But then”
”I don't understand you, Andre”
”I am not so very obscure Not nearly so obscure as I can be Turn it over in your mind It ain ”Pray use this house as your own I ”
Le Chapelier put his head in at the door
”Forgive the intrusion But we shall be late, Andre, unless you”
”Co,” Andre answered hie me deeply Particularly in view of your uncle's resolve”
She did not answer him She was nu, left her Standing there she heard his steps going down the stairs together with Le Chapelier's He was speaking to his friend, and his voice was calm and normal
Oh, he was e rattled away, she sat down limply, with a sense of exhaustion and nausea She was sick and faint with horror Andre-Louis was going to his death Conviction of it--an unreasoning conviction, the result, perhaps, of all M de Kercadiou's rantings--entered her soul Awhile she sat thus, paralyzed by hopelessness Then she sprang up again, wringing her hands