To Bettina's thinking, justice had been deceived; if not, how could it have sentenced a man who had loved her for six months ?--loved her to distraction in the hidden retreat to which he had taken her,--that he might, we may add, be at liberty to go his own way.

Thus the dying girl inoculated her sister with love.

Together they talked of the great drama which imagination enhances; and Bettina carried with her to the grave her sister's ignorance, leaving her, if not informed, at least thirsting for information.
Nevertheless, remorse had set its fangs too sharply in Bettina's heart not to force her to warn her sister.

In the midst of her own confessions she had preached duty and implicit obedience to Modeste.

On the evening of her death she implored her to remember the tears that soaked her pillow, and not to imitate a conduct which even suffering could not expiate.