The truth is, that I may go off at any moment." With a quiver, Morigny leant forward in the still deepening gloom, and wished to take hold of her hands.

"You! what, am I to lose you, my last affection!" he faltered, "I who have seen the old world I belong to crumble away, I who only live in the hope that you at all events will still be here to close my eyes!" But she begged him not to increase her grief: "No, no, don't take my hands, don't kiss them! Remain there in the shade, where I can scarcely see you....

We have loved one another so long without aught to cause shame or regret; and that will prove our strength--our divine strength--till we reach the grave....

And if you were to touch me, if I were to feel you too near me I could not finish, for I have not done so yet." As soon as he had relapsed into silence and immobility, she continued: "If I were to die to-morrow, Gerard would not even find here the little fortune which he still fancies is in my hands.

The dear child has often cost me large sums of money without apparently being conscious of it.