"You must think me a fool; and, indeed, the delirium of my joy has

robbed me of both nerve and wits. But of this at least be assured,

whatever you do is sacred in my eyes from the very fact that it seemed

right to you. I honor you as I honor only God besides. And then, Miss

Griffith is here." "She is here for the sake of the others, not for us," I put in

hastily. My dear, he understood me at once.

"I know very well," he said, with the humblest glance at me, "that

whether she is there or not makes no difference. Unseen of men, we are

still in the presence of God, and our own esteem is not less important

to us than that of the world."

"Thank you, Felipe," I said, holding out my hand to him with a gesture

which you ought to see. "A woman, and I am nothing, if not a woman, is

on the road to loving the man who understands her. Oh! only on the

road," I went on, with a finger on my lips. "Don't let your hopes

carry you beyond what I say. My heart will belong only to the man who

can read it and know its every turn. Our views, without being

absolutely identical, must be the same in their breadth and elevation.

I have no wish to exaggerate my own merits; doubtless what seem

virtues in my eyes have their corresponding defects. All I can say is,

I should be heartbroken without them."

"Having first accepted me as your servant, you now permit me to love

you," he said, trembling and looking in my face at each word. "My

first prayer has been more than answered."

"But," I hastened to reply, "your position seems to me a better one

than mine. I should not object to change places, and this change it

lies with you to bring about." "In my turn, I thank you," he replied. "I know the duties of a

faithful lover. It is mine to prove that I am worthy of you; the

trials shall be as long as you choose to make them. If I belie your

hopes, you have only--God! that I should say it--to reject me."

"I know that you love me," I replied. "So far," with a cruel

emphasis on the words, "you stand first in my regard. Otherwise you

would not be here."




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