of halfpence, but I had not a penny. All
the man in me and all my vainest susceptibilities were wrung with an
infernal pain. The words, 'I haven't a penny about me, my good fellow!'
came from me in the hard voice of thwarted passion; and yet I was that
man's brother in misfortune, as I knew too well; and once I had so
lightly paid away seven hundred thousand francs! The footman pushed the
man aside, and the horses sprang forward. As we returned, Foedora, in
real or feigned abstraction, answered all my questions curtly and by
monosyllables. I said no more; it was a hateful moment. When we reached
her house, we seated ourselves by the hearth, and when the servant had
stirred the fire and left us alone, the countess turned to me with an
inexplicable expression, and spoke. Her manner was almost solemn.

"'Since my return to France, more than one young man, tempted by my
money, has made proposals to me which would have satisfied my pride. I
have come across men, too, whose attachment was so deep and sincere that
they might have married me even if they had found me the penniless girl
I used to be. Besides these, Monsieur de Valentin, you must know that
new titles and newly-acquired wealth have been also offered to me, and
that I have never received again any of those who were so ill-advised as
to mention love to me. If my regard for you was but slight, I would not
give you this warning, which is dictated by friendship rather than
by pride. A woman lays herself open to a rebuff of some kind, if she
imagines herself to be loved, and declines, before it is uttered, to
listen to language which in its nature implies a compliment. I am well
acquainted with the parts played by Arsinoe and Araminta, and with the
sort of answer I might look for under such circumstances; but I hope
to-day that I shall not find myself misconstrued by a man of no ordinary
character, because I have frankly spoken my mind.'

"She spoke with the cool self-possession of some attorney or solicitor
explaining the nature of a contract or the conduct of a lawsuit to a
client. There was not the least sign of feeling in the clear soft tones
of her voice. Her steady face and dignified bearing seemed to me now
full of diplomatic reserve and coldness. She had planned this scene, no
doubt, and carefully chosen her words beforehand. Oh, my friend, there
are women who take pleasure in piercing hearts, and deliberately plunge
the dagger back again into the wound; such w