"I more than suspected it.
Therefore I should be the more beholden to you for saving the letters.
But"-- he paused and laughed harshly--"it was out of no love for me you saved them.

That too I know." She did not answer or protest; and when he had waited a moment in vain expectation of her protest, a cruel look crept into his eyes.
"Madame," he said slowly, "do you never reflect that you may push the part you play too far?
That the patience, even of the worst of men, does not endure for ever ?" "I have your word!" she answered.
"And you do not fear ?" "I have your word," she repeated.

And now she looked him bravely in the face, her eyes full of the courage of her race.
The lines of his mouth hardened as he met her look.

"And what have I of yours ?" he said in a low voice.

"What have I of yours ?" Her face began to burn at that, her eyes fell and she faltered.
"My gratitude," she murmured, with an upward look that prayed for pity.
"God knows, Monsieur, you have that!" "God knows I do not want it!" he answered.