He would have understood it from her pallor, from the contraction of her lips, from the redness of the eyelids which she had vainly bathed with fresh water, and which betrayed the tears that had fallen during the night.
"If I have come," she continued, "it is only to tell you that, for your own sake, as well as for mine, there must not remain in the secret recesses of your heart even the slightest shadow of a hope.

All is over; we are separated forever! Only weak natures revolt against a destiny which they cannot alter.

Let us accept our fate uncomplainingly.

I wished to see you once more, and to say this: Have courage, Maurice.

Go away--leave Escorval--forget me!" "Forget you, Marie-Anne!" exclaimed the wretched young man, "forget you!" His eyes met hers, and in a husky voice he added: "Will you then forget me ?" "I am a woman, Maurice--" But he interrupted her: "Ah! I did not expect this," he said, despondently.