Page 85 (1/1)

"But the interest of the story does not cease here I think the betrothal is definitely at an end A betrothal is always a difficult thing to renew, and after the publicity which attended the rupture of this one, I do not see how they canI feel sure of is, that Madee her naerate your own chances They will be less than you think for soirl who has thus been wounded and deceived can forget all at once There is even the possibility of her never forgetting--of living with her sorrow, preferring certain peace of mind, and the simple joys of filial devotion, to all those dreairls have been cruelly taken in

"In any case do not think of returning yet, for I know you are capable of any imprudence Stay where you are, exa through a bitter trial She is ill, I may say seriously ill I would sooner bear the illness than my present anxiety

"Your friend, "SYLVESTRE LAMPRON

"P S--Just as I was about to fasten up this letter, I got a note from Madame Plumet to tell me that Monsieur and Mademoiselle Charnot have left Paris She does not knohere they have gone"

I becaes I read a second tiitation into which it threw me did not at once pass away I reoing on around me, entirely wrapped up in the past or the future

The Italian attendant brought me back to the present with a jerk of his elbow He was replacing the last register in the huge drawers of the table He and I were alone My colleagues had left, and our first sitting had coh before one far, so, somewhat ashamed of my want of attention, I put on ize The little attendant caughts into my pocketbook

"E d'una donna?" he asked

"What's that to you?"

"I a to read; and, 'per Bacco', you were a tinore, le downe!'"