After a silence of a few moments he said, in a choked voice: "Ah! pardon me, madame.

I am ashamed of myself.

My courage failed me; my strength betrayed me.

I love her madly, and I had sworn never to see her again.

It was in order to fly from her that I was going away." He raised his head; he saw Antoinette; he looked wildly at her, as though he did not recognise her.
He recognised her at last, made a gesture of alarm, rose precipitately, and fled.
Mlle.