t
made. Come away, D'O, he will soon have enough on his hands without
us. Farewell, fair lady, another time you will be free of your jealous
giant.'

So saying, the Duke of Anjou strolled off, feigning indifference and
contempt, and scarcely heeding that he had been traversed in one of the
malicious adventures which he delighted to recount in public before the
discomfited victim herself, often with shameful exaggeration.

The girl clasped her hands over her brow with a gesture of dismay, and
cried, 'Oh! if you have only not touched your sword.'

'Let me have the honour of reconducting you, Mademoiselle,' said
Berenger, offering his hand; but after the first sigh of relief, a
tempestuous access seized her. She seemed about to dash away his
hand, her bosom swelled with resentment, and with a voice striving for
dignity, though choked with strangled tears, she exclaimed, 'No, indeed!
Had not M. le Baron forsaken me, I had never been thus treated!' and her
eyes flashed through their moisture.

'Eustacie! You are Eutacie!'

'Whom would you have me to be otherwise? I have the honour to wish M. le
Baron a good morning.'

'Eustacie! Stay! Hear me! It concerns my honour. I see it is you--but
whom have I seen? Who was she?' he cried, half wild with dismay and
confusion. 'Was it Diane?'

'You have seen and danced with Diane de Ribaumont,' answered Eustacie,
still coldly; 'but what of that? Let me go, Monsieur; you have cast me
off already.'

'I! when all this has been of your own seeking?'

'Mine?' cried Eustacie, panting with the struggle between her dignity
and her passionate tears. 'I meddled not. I heard that M. le Baron was
gone to a strange land, and had written to break off old ties.' Her face
was in a flame, and her efforts for composure absolute pain.

'I!' again exclaimed Berenger. 'The first letter came from your uncle,
declaring that it was your wish!' And as her face changed rapidly, 'Then
it was not true! He has not had your consent?'

'What! would I hold to one who despised me--who came here and never even
asked to see this hated spouse!'

I did! I entreated to see you. I would not sign the application
till--Oh, there has been treachery! And have they made you too sign it!'

When they showed me your name they were welcome to mine.'

Berenger struck his forehead with wrath and perplexity, then cried,
joyfully, 'It will not stand for moment. So foul a cheat can be at once
exposed. Eutacie, you know--y