Every tick
of the clock alarmed me. It wanted only a quarter of an hour of
midnight.
"'If I do not speak,' I thought to myself, 'I must smash my head
against the corner of the mantelpiece.'
"I gave myself three minutes' grace; the three minutes went by, and I
did not smash my head upon the marble; my heart grew heavy, like a
sponge with water.
"'You are exceedingly amusing,' said she.
"'Ah, madame, if you could but understand me!' I answered.
"'What is the matter with you?' she asked. 'You are turning pale.'
"'I am hesitating to ask a favor of you.'
"Her gesture revived my courage. I asked her to make the appointment
with me.
"'Willingly,' she answered' 'but why will you not speak to me now?'
"'To be candid with you, I ought to explain the full scope of your
promise: I want to spend this evening by your side, as if we were
brother and sister. Have no fear; I am aware of your antipathies; you
must have divined me sufficiently to feel sure that I should wish you
to do nothing that could be displeasing to you; presumption, moreover,
would not thus approach you. You have been a friend to me, you have
shown me kindness and great indulgence; know, therefore, that
to-morrow I must bid you farewell.
Pages:
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232