ns of yours?"

"Now that we are rich, my darling, I can tell you all about it. Poor
boy! how easy it is to delude a clever man! Could you have had white
waistcoats and clean shirts twice a week for three francs every month to
the laundress? Why, you used to drink twice as much milk as your money
would have paid for. I deceived you all round--over firing, oil, and
even money. O Raphael mine, don't have me for your wife, I am far too
cunning!" she said laughing.

"But how did you manage?"

"I used to work till two o'clock in the morning; I gave my mother half
the money made by my screens, and the other half went to you."

They looked at one another for a moment, both bewildered by love and
gladness.

"Some day we shall have to pay for this happiness by some terrible
sorrow," cried Raphael.

"Perhaps you are married?" said Pauline. "Oh, I will not give you up to
any other woman."

"I am free, my beloved."

"Free!" she repeated. "Free, and mine!"

She slipped down upon her knees, clasped her hands, and looked at
Raphael in an enthusiasm of devotion.

"I am afraid I shall go mad. How handsome you are!" she went on, passing
her fingers through her lover's fair hair. "How stupid your Countess
Foedora is! How pleased I was yesterday with the homage they all paid to
me! SHE has never been applauded. Dear, when I felt your arm against my
back, I heard a vague voice within me that cried, 'He is there!' and I
turned round and saw you. I fled, for I longed so to throw my arms about
you before them all."

"How happy you are--you can speak!" Raphael exclaimed. "My heart is
overwhelmed; I would weep, but I cannot. Do not draw your hand away.
I could stay here looking at you like this for the rest of my life, I
think; happy and content."

"O my love, say that once more!"

"Ah, what are words?" answered Valentin, letting a hot tear fall on
Pauline's hands. "Some time I will try to tell you of my love; just now
I can only feel it."

"You," she said, "with your lofty soul and your great genius, with that
heart of yours that I know so well; are you really mine, as I am yours?"

"For ever and ever, my sweet creature," said Raphael in an uncertain
voice. "You shall be my wife, my protecting angel. My griefs have always
been dispelled by your presence, and my courage revived; that angelic
smile now on your lips has purified me, so to speak. A new life seems
about to begin for me. The cruel past and my wretched follies are h