I shall always see your pale, white face, and how, when I raised up your head it rested on my arm for a moment, and all the rapture--" "You must not talk like that, Marquis," interrupted Diana, but she spoke in such a low tone that Norbert did not hear her and went on,-- "When I saw you yesterday my feelings so overpowered me that I could not put them into words; but as soon as you had left me, it appeared as if all grew dark around me, and throwing myself on my knees, I searched for the tiny leaden pellet that might have caused your death.

I at last found it, and no treasure upon earth will ever be more prized by me." To avoid showing the gleam of joy that flashed from her eyes, Diana was compelled to turn her head on one side.
"Forgive me, mademoiselle," said Norbert, in despair, as he noticed this movement; "forgive me if I have offended you.

Could you but know how dreary my past life has been, you would pardon me.

It seemed to me, the very moment that I saw you, I had found a woman who would feel some slight interest in me, and that for her sweet compassion I would devote my whole life to her.

But now I see how mad and foolish I have been, and I am plunged into the depths 'of despair.'" She accompanied these words with a glance sufficiently tender to restore all Norbert's courage.
"Ah, mademoiselle," said he; "do not trifle with me, for that would be too cruel." She let her head droop on her bosom, and, falling upon his knees, he poured a stream of impassioned kisses upon her hands.