He has
drawn the curtains again to-night. What does he mean by it?'
"All the blood in my veins rushed to my heart at this observation, but
no more was said about curtains.
"'Life is very empty,' the countess went on. 'Ah! be careful not to
scratch me as you did yesterday. Just look here, I still have the
marks of your nails about me,' and she held out a silken knee. She
thrust her bare feet into velvet slippers bound with swan's-down, and
unfastened her dress, while Justine prepared to comb her hair.
"'You ought to marry, madame, and have children.'
"'Children!' she cried; 'it wants no more than that to finish me at
once; and a husband! What man is there to whom I could----? Was my
hair well arranged to-night?'
"'Not particularly.'
"'You are a fool!'
"'That way of crimping your hair too much is the least becoming way
possible for you. Large, smooth curls suit you a great deal better.'
"'Really?'
"'Yes, really, madame; that wavy style only looks nice in fair hair.'
"'Marriage? never, never! Marriage is a commercial arrangement, for
which I was never made.'
"What a disheartening scene for a lover! Here was a lonely woman,
without friends or kin, without the religion of love, without faith in
any affection.
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