Part 66 (1/2)
”Forget? Have you no heart, Andre-Louis?”
The question recalled him curiously to his attitude towards life--that histrionic attitude of his that he accounted true philosophy Also he remembered what lay before them; and he realized that he must master not only himself but her; that to yield too far to sentiht be the ruin of them all
”It is a question propounded to me so often that itis to blahtened her clutch about his neck even as he would have attee himself fro? Knowing all, as you do, Andre-Louis, you cannot altogether blaive me You must! I had no choice”
”When we know all of whatever it ive, ious truth that was ever written It contains, in fact, a whole religion--the noblest religion any uide him I say this for your co away from him with a startled cry Beyond hihostly It advanced into the light, and resolved itself into Aline She had cootten su unperceived she had seen Andre-Louis in the embrace of the wonized him instantly by his voice, and she could not have said what bewildered hershe overheard
”You heard, Aline?” madame exclaimed
”I could not help it, madame You sent for me I a and curiously She was pale, but quite composed She held out her hand to hiht have come before”
”I come when I am wanted,” was his answer ”Which is the only ti received” He said it without bitterness, and having said it stooped to kiss her hand
”You can forgive me what is past, I hope, since I failed of”I could not have co that the failure was intentional--a compromise between the necessities of the case and your oishes For it was not that And yet, you do not seem to have profited by my failure You are still a maid”
She turned her shoulder to his,” she said, ”that you will never understand”
”Life, for one,” he acknowledged ”I confess that I a The very explanations calculated to simplify it seem but to coastel
”You , I suppose,” said mademoiselle
”Aline!” It was the Countess who spoke She knew the danger of half-discoveries ”I can trust you, child, I know, and Andre-Louis, I am sure, will offer no objection” She had taken up the letter to show it to Aline Yet first her eyes questioned him
”Oh, none, madame,” he assured her ”It is entirely a matter for yourself”
Aline looked fro to take the letter that was now proffered When she had read it through, she very thoughtfully replaced it on the table Aher Then impulsively she ran to madame and put her arms about her
”Aline!” It was a cry of wonder, almost of joy ”You do not utterly abhor me!”
”My dear,” said Aline, and kissed the tear-stained face that seerown years older in these last few hours
In the background Andre-Louis, steeling hiainst emotionalism, spoke with the voice of Scaramouche
”It would be well, ed at greater leisure and in et out of this shambles we should be wise to take the road without more delay”
It was a tonic as effective as it was necessary It startled them into remembrance of their circumstances, and under the spur of it they went at once to make their preparations
They left hi room alone, saved only froth they returned, they were accoreatcoat and a broad hat the brim of which was turned down all around He remained respectfully by the door in the shadows