world, for
everything is known. Farewell!"

He left me abruptly; and although I felt that my doom had been spoken,
I walked firmly across the square to meet Paul. I would tell him
everything. He should be my judge. My love should plead for me! It
would triumph; yes! it would triumph! I was convinced of it! As for
the danger I was in, I thought less of that.

On the steps of the postoffice I met Paul. He held in his hand a
bundle of papers, one of which he had opened, and, as he raised his
head and looked at me, I saw that what I had dreaded had come to pass.
He looked like a man stricken down by some sudden and terrible blow.
He was white even to the lips, and a strange light burned in his eyes.

He laid his hand upon my arm. Was it my fancy, or did he really recoil
a little as he touched me? "Let us go home!" he said hoarsely. "I
have--something to say to you!"

We entered the carriage, which was waiting near, and drove off. We
came together into this room. It was barely two hours ago. He closed
the door and turned towards me. I did not wait for his question. I
told him everything!

Ah me! I had thought that love was a different thing. I had sinned,
it is true, but he was not my judge. So I commenced, humbled and
sorrowful indeed, but with no fear of what was before me. But
gradually, as I watched his face, a cold, ghastly dread crept in upon
me. What did it mean--that blank look of horror, his quiet withdrawal
from the only caress I attempted? I finished--abruptly--and called out
to him piteously,--

"Paul! Paul! Why do you turn away? Oh! kiss me, Paul! It was horrible,
but it was to save you!"

He did not answer; he did not hold out his arms, or make any movement
towards me. I touched his arm; and oh! horrible! he shuddered. I crept
away into a corner of the room, with a strange, burning pain in my
heart.

"How long is it, since you saw Gomez?" he asked, and his voice,
strained, yet low, seemed to come from a far distance.

"An hour!--perhaps more--I cannot tell!"

He stood before the door like a ghost. "I must go and try to find him!
Forgive me, Adrea! I cannot talk now! I will come back!"

So he left me. I have not seen him since! God only knows whether I
shall see him again! My heart is torn with the agony of it! I cannot
bear it any longer! If he is not here in half an hour I shall end it!

* * * * *

He has not come! Ten minutes more!

Five minutes!

*