He came a step nearer at last.
"'Mademoiselle,' he said.

Not the quivering of an eyelash showed that she heard him.

'Mademoiselle!' he said again, with an intensity of beseeching that made Jacques--not knowing who he was--almost pity him, when he saw his young lady's obdurate face.
"There was perfect silence for a space of time which Jacques could not measure.

Then again the voice, hesitatingly, saying, 'Monsieur!' Clement could not hold the same icy countenance as Virginie; he turned his head with an impatient gesture of disgust; but even that emboldened the man.
"'Monsieur, do ask mademoiselle to listen to me,--just two words.' "'Mademoiselle de Crequy only listens to whom she chooses.' Very haughtily my Clement would say that, I am sure.
"'But, mademoiselle,'-- lowering his voice, and coming a step or two nearer.

Virginie must have felt his approach, though she did not see it; for she drew herself a little on one side, so as to put as much space as possible between him and her.--'Mademoiselle, it is not too late.