rejudicial to your
honor. A singular moral law is that of the world!" she pursued, growing
more excited. "Let General de Prerolles be the lover of Madame de
Lisieux or of Madame de Nointel; let him sit every day at their
tables--if there be only a husband whose hand he may clasp in greeting,
no one will call this hospitable liaison a crime! But let him feel
anything more than a passing fancy for Eugenie Gontier, who violates
no conjugal vow in loving him, but whose love he is not rich enough to
buy--even were that love for sale--oh, then, everyone must point at him
the finger of scorn! As for myself, it seems that it was useless for me
to resist so many would-be lovers in order to open my door more freely
to the man of my choice--an action which no one holds against me,
however, because I am only an actress, and the public classes us in
a separate category, so that they may more readily offer up to us the
incense with which they smother us! Be it so! There are also in my
profession disinterested hearts which may serve as examples--and I
pretend to the very highest rank as an actress in every role I assume,
even in this city. Take back your liberty, Henri!"

"I have most unwillingly offended you," said he, sadly.

"You? Ah, no! I know that you are loyal and sincere, and I could not
harbor resentment against you after your avowal. You would have lacked
self-confidence had you acted otherwise. But," she continued, "have you
indeed told me all?"

"All!" he replied, without hesitation.

"Will you give me your word of honor that no other woman stands between
you and me?"

"I swear it to you!"

"I thank you! You are incapable of lying. Whatever happens, you never
will have a better friend than I, for your just pride is still more dear
to me than my own. If you cease to come to the theatre, and appear no
more at my receptions, that will be sufficient to insure the silence of
gossip concerning us. Go without remorse, Henri! But come back to see me
sometimes--quietly, without the knowledge of the envious--will you not?"

"Do you doubt it?" he responded, folding her tenderly in his arms.

"Yes and no! But if this is our supreme farewell, do not tell me so!"

BOOK 3.

CHAPTER XX. ZIBELINE RECEIVES

The Duchesse de Montgeron had no children, and her most tender
affections were concentrated upon her husband and her brother. The
scruples which caused the latter to forswear matrimony grieved her
deeply, for, k