And so here we are, all three of us supremely wretched through your doing!" She sobbed, and with a sudden feeling of modesty freed her wrists from his grasp.

He noticed, however, that no blush rose to her face.

Truth to tell, her virginal loyalty was not in question; she had no cause to reproach herself with any betrayal; it was he alone, perforce, who had awakened her to love.

For a moment they looked at one another through their tears: she so strong and healthy, her bosom heaving at each heart-beat, and her white arms--arms that could both charm and sustain--bare almost to her shoulders; and he still vigorous, with his thick fleece of white hair and his black moustaches, which gave his countenance such an expression of energetic youth.

But it was all over, the irreparable had swept by, and utterly changed their lives.
"Marie," he nobly said, "you do not love me, I give you back your promise." But with equal nobility she refused to take it back.