uld have been content."

"You are mistaken, Philip. Just before I left for the convent, I told
the Marquis with my own lips of your love for me, and he did not bid me
stay."

Philip stood as if stupefied.

"My father knew--"

"Yes."

"And yet, on his deathbed, he compelled me to promise that I would marry
Antoinette!"

"He thought you would forget me."

"Can those who truly love ever forget?" cried Philip. "But what is to be
done?" he asked.

Dolores made no response. She stood before him with eyes downcast that
he might not see the conflict which was raging in her soul. Philip took
advantage of her hesitation to plead his cause anew.

"Listen, Dolores; it is not right that we should all sacrifice ourselves
to my father's ambition; and if I wed Antoinette, still loving you, I
cannot make her happy. Besides, what would become of you?"

"But if I listen to you, what will become of Antoinette?"

"She will forget. She loves me because she met me before she met any
other young man, before she had seen the world; but she will soon forget
me. After a few tears that cannot compare in bitterness with those that
I have shed, and with those I shall shed, if I am compelled to give you
up, she will bestow her love elsewhere."

"Do not wrong her, Philip. For four long years she has considered
herself your wife in the sight of God, and now you would leave her to
mourn your infidelity!"

"My infidelity!"

"Yes, Philip, for you have plighted your troth to her. You have made no
promise to me."

"And you?"

"I have promised nothing."

"But your silence the other evening when I entreated you to grant my
suit--was not your silence then an avowal?"

"You misunderstood me!" replied Dolores, courageously.

The girl could endure no more; her strength was exhausted; but her
decision was made, and her sole aim now was to assure Antoinette's
happiness by compelling Philip to marry her. She said, gently:

"Coursegol must bring the order of release by the aid of which you and I
were to leave the prison. It will be of service when we plan
Antoinette's escape."

Philip uttered an exclamation of remonstrance. She pretended not to hear
it and continued:

"You will go with her. When you are once outside these walls, thanks to
Coursegol, it will be easy for you to reach a place of safety. I do not
ask you to marry Antoinette as soon as you have left me; but when time
has calmed the fever that is now raging in your heart, and