I have loved
you, I think, since the first moment of our meeting at Lavedan, and
to win you there is no risk that I would not take, no danger that I
would not brave."
"Monsieur, I implore you - "
"Hear me out, mademoiselle!" he cried. Then in quieter voice he
proceeded: "At present you love this Monsieur de Lesperon--"
"I shall always love him! Always, monsieur!"
"Wait, wait, wait!" he exclaimed, annoyed by her interruption. "If
he were to live, and you were to wed him and be daily in his company,
I make no doubt your love might endure. But if he were to die, or
if he were to pass into banishment and you were to see him no more,
you would mourn him for a little while, and then - Helas! it is the
way of men and women - time would heal first your sorrow, then your
heart."
"Never, monsieur - oh, never!"
"I am older, child, than you are. I know. At present you are
anxious to save his life anxious because you love him, and also
because you betrayed him, and you would not have his death upon
your conscience." He paused a moment; then raising his voice,
"Mademoiselle," said he, "I offer you your lover's life."
"Monsieur, monsieur!" cried the poor child, "I knew you were good!
I knew--"
"A moment! Do not misapprehend me. I do not say that I give it
--I offer it."
"But the difference?"
"That if you would have it, mademoiselle, you must buy it. I have
said that for you I would brave all dangers. To save your lover, I
brave the scaffold.
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