om the world, and never see Paris again? I have
an earnest of five years of her life, and the dear creature is one of
those who never belie themselves! Where can I find such another perfect
masterpiece?"

"My dear, you whom I have made my God," said Esther, kneeling down on a
cushion in front of Lucien, "give me your blessing."

Lucien tried to raise her and kiss her, saying, "What is this jest,
my dear love?" And he would have put his arm round her, but she freed
herself with a gesture as much of respect as of horror.

"I am no longer worthy of you, Lucien," said she, letting the tears rise
to her eyes. "I implore you, give me your blessing, and swear to me that
you will found two beds at the Hotel-Dieu--for, as to prayers in church,
God will never forgive me unless I pray myself.

"I have loved you too well, my dear. Tell me that I made you happy, and
that you will sometimes think of me.--Tell me that!"

Lucien saw that Esther was solemnly in earnest, and he sat thinking.

"You mean to kill yourself," said he at last, in a tone of voice that
revealed deep reflection.

"No," said she. "But to-day, my dear, the woman dies, the pure, chaste,
and loving woman who once was yours.--And I am very much afraid that I
shall die of grief."

"Poor child," said Lucien, "wait! I have worked hard these two days. I
have succeeded in seeing Clotilde----"

"Always Clotilde!" cried Esther, in a tone of concentrated rage.

"Yes," said he, "we have written to each other.--On Tuesday morning
she is to set out for Italy, but I shall meet her on the road for an
interview at Fontainebleau."

"Bless me! what is it that you men want for wives? Wooden laths?" cried
poor Esther. "If I had seven or eight millions, would you not marry
me--come now?"

"Child! I was going to say that if all is over for me, I will have no
wife but you."

Esther bent her head to hide her sudden pallor and the tears she wiped
away.

"You love me?" said she, looking at Lucien with the deepest melancholy.
"Well, that is my sufficient blessing.--Do not compromise yourself.
Go away by the side door, and come in to the drawing-room through the
ante-room. Kiss me on the forehead."

She threw her arms round Lucien, clasped him to her heart with frenzy,
and said again:

"Go, only go--or I must live."

When the doomed woman appeared in the drawing-room, there was a cry of
admiration. Esther's eyes expressed infinitude in which the soul sank
as it looked in