"
"Mademoiselle, why should we part to-night?"
"Ah!" she replied, smiling at the passionate look which he gave her,
"let us get into the carriage; the open air does not agree with us."
Marie turned abruptly; the young man followed her, and pressed her arm
with little respect, but in a manner that expressed his imperious
admiration. She hastened her steps. Seeing that she wished to escape
an importune declaration, he became the more ardent; being determined
to win a first favor from this woman, he risked all and said, looking
at her meaningly:--
"Shall I tell you a secret?"
"Yes, quickly, if it concerns you."
"I am not in the service of the Republic. Where are you going? I shall
follow you."
At the words Marie trembled violently. She withdrew her arm and
covered her face with both hands to hide either the flush or the
pallor of her cheeks; then she suddenly uncovered her face and said in
a voice of deep emotion:--
"Then you began as you would have ended, by deceiving me?"
"Yes," he said.
At this answer she turned again from the carriage, which was now
overtaking them, and began to almost run along the road.
"I thought," he said, following her, "that the open air did not agree
with you?"
"Oh! it has changed," she replied in a grave tone, continuing to walk
on, a prey to agitating thoughts.
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