All was deceit and hollowness and treachery.

Lone again in the universe rose the eternal I.So down into the abyss she looked, depth upon depth, and the darkness had no relief, and the deep had no end.
Olivier Dalibard alone, of all she knew, was admitted to her seclusion.
He played his part as might be expected from the singular patience and penetration which belonged to the genius of his character.

He forbore the most distant allusion to his attachment or his hopes.

He evinced sympathy rather by imitating her silence, than attempts to console.

When he spoke, he sought to interest her mind more than to heal directly the deep wounds of her heart.