."

"To his studio?"

"Yes, I have sat to him several times for my portrait; but I have
never done anything that I need blush to own. You know all now, sir,"
continued Sabine; "and it has been very hard for a young girl like me
to say all this to you. It is a thing that ought to be confided to my
mother."

Only those who have heard a woman that they are ardently attached to
say, "I do not love you," can picture M. de Breulh's frame of mind.
Had any one else than Sabine made this communication he would not have
withdrawn, but would have contested the prize with his more fortunate
rival. But now that Mademoiselle de Mussidan had, as it were, thrown
herself upon his mercy, he could not bring himself to take advantage of
her confidence.

"It shall be as you desire," said he, with a faint tinge of bitterness
in his tone. "To-night I will write to your father, and withdraw my
demand for your hand. It is the first time that I have ever gone back
from my word; and I am sure that your father will be highly indignant."

Sabine's strength and firmness had now entirely deserted her. "From
the depth of my soul, sir," said she, "I thank you; for by this act of
generosity I shall avoid a contest that I dreaded."

"Unfortunately," broke in De Breulh, "you do not see how useless to
you will be the sacrifice that you exact from me. Listen! you have not
appeared much in society; and when you did, it was in the character of
my betrothed; as soon as I withdraw hosts of aspirants for your hand
will spring up."

Sabine heaved a deep sigh, for Andre had foreseen the same result.

"Then," continued De Breulh, "your situation will become even a more
trying one; for if your noble qualities are not enough to excite
admiration in the bosoms of the other sex, your immense wealth will
arouse the cupidity of the fortune-hunters."

When De Breulh referred to fortune-hunters, was this a side blow at
Andre? With this thought rushing through her brain, she gazed upon him
eagerly, but read no meaning in his eyes.

"Yes," answered she dreamily, "it is true that I am very wealthy."

"And what will be your reply to the next suitor, and to the one after
that?" asked De Breulh.

"I know not; but I shall find some loophole of escape when the time
comes; for if I act in obedience to the dictates of my heart and
conscience, I cannot do wrong, for Heaven will come to my aid."

The phrase sounded like a dismissal; but De Breulh, man of the world as