n a tone impossible to render. Marguerite
took the six notes of a thousand francs.

"It was quite time," she said. "My dear Prudence, are you in want of any
money?"

"You know, my child, it is the 15th in a couple of days, so if you could
lend me three or four hundred francs, you would do me a real service."

"Send over to-morrow; it is too late to get change now."

"Don't forget."

"No fear. Will you have supper with us?"

"No, Charles is waiting for me."

"You are still devoted to him?"

"Crazy, my dear! I will see you to-morrow. Good-bye, Armand."

Mme. Duvernoy went out.

Marguerite opened the drawer of a side-table and threw the bank-notes
into it.

"Will you permit me to get into bed?" she said with a smile, as she
moved toward the bed.

"Not only permit, but I beg of you."

She turned back the covering and got into bed.

"Now," said she, "come and sit down by me, and let's have a talk."

Prudence was right: the answer that she had brought to Marguerite had
put her into a good humour.

"Will you forgive me for my bad temper tonight?" she said, taking my
hand.

"I am ready to forgive you as often as you like."

"And you love me?"

"Madly."

"In spite of my bad disposition?"

"In spite of all."

"You swear it?"

"Yes," I said in a whisper.

Nanine entered, carrying plates, a cold chicken, a bottle of claret, and
some strawberries.

"I haven't had any punch made," said Nanine; "claret is better for you.
Isn't it, sir?"

"Certainly," I replied, still under the excitement of Marguerite's last
words, my eyes fixed ardently upon her.

"Good," said she; "put it all on the little table, and draw it up to the
bed; we will help ourselves. This is the third night you have sat up,
and you must be in want of sleep. Go to bed. I don't want anything
more."

"Shall I lock the door?"

"I should think so! And above all, tell them not to admit anybody before
midday."

Chapter 12

At five o'clock in the morning, as the light began to appear through the
curtains, Marguerite said to me: "Forgive me if I send you away; but I
must. The duke comes every morning; they will tell him, when he comes,
that I am asleep, and perhaps he will wait until I wake."

I took Marguerite's head in my hands; her loosened hair streamed about
her; I gave her a last kiss, saying: "When shall I see you again?"

"Listen," she said; "take the little gilt key on the mantelpiece, open
that door; bring me back the