steps towards him. "Yes - Louise," she murmured.
"Yes, Raoul," the young girl replied, "I have been waiting for you."
"I beg your pardon. When I came into the room I was not aware - "
other. It was for Louise to speak, and she made an effort to do so.
my motive, Monsieur de Bragelonne."
have of me, I confess - "
Louise, interrupting him with her soft, sweet voice.
he sat, or rather fell down on a chair. "Speak," he said.
few minutes before. Raoul rouse, and went to the door, which he opened.
towards Louise, he added, "Is not that what you wished?"
words, which seemed to signify, "You see that I still understand you."
him unhappy, or might wound his pride." Raoul did not reply.
think, to relate to you, very simply, everything that has befallen me.
wishes to pour itself out at your feet."
had already received; but it was impossible to meet Raoul's eyes.
"He told me you were incensed with me - and justly so, I admit."
all that I came to say."
calmer expression, and the disdainful smile upon his lip passed away.
wrong, and that you would not do it."
were not, alas! any more beside me."
"But you knew where I was, mademoiselle; you could have written to me."
"Raoul, I did not dare to do so. Raoul, I have been weak and cowardly.
which I read in your eyes."
not do me so foul a wrong as to disguise your feelings before me now!
"You are right," she said.
"Oh!" said La Valliere, "I do not ask you so much as that, Raoul."
"Impossible, impossible!" she cried, "you are mocking me."
perhaps I did not love you."
"Oh! you love me like an affectionate brother; let me hope that, Raoul."
husband, with the deepest, the truest, the fondest affection."
of, care for, anything, either in this world or the next."
"Raoul - dear Raoul! spare me, I implore you!" cried La Valliere. "Oh!
if I had but known - "
wretched man living; leave me, I entreat you. Adieu! adieu!"
"Forgive me! oh, forgive me, Raoul, for what I have done."
still?_" She buried her face in her hands.
hands to him in vain.
carried La Valliere, still fainting, to the carriage.