far away from her. A habit would yield to an absence of two years, I
believe; whereas, on my return, I loved not more, that was impossible,
but as much. Mademoiselle de la Valliere is for me the one lady above
all others; but you are for me a god upon earth--to you I sacrifice
everything."

"You are wrong," said Athos; "I have no longer any right over you. Age
has emancipated you; you no longer even stand in need of my consent.
Besides, I will not refuse my consent after what you have told me. Marry
Mademoiselle de la Valliere, if you like."

Raoul was startled, but suddenly: "You are very kind, monsieur," said
he; "and your concession excites my warmest gratitude, but I will not
accept it."

"Then you now refuse?"

"Yes, monsieur."

"I will not oppose you in anything, Raoul."

"But you have at the bottom of your heart an idea against this marriage:
it is not your choice."

"That is true."

"That is sufficient to make me resist: I will wait."

"Beware, Raoul! What you are now saying is serious."

"I know it is, monsieur; as I said, I will wait."

"Until I die?" said Athos, much agitated.

"Oh! monsieur," cried Raoul, with tears in his eyes, "is it possible
that you should wound my heart thus? I have never given you cause of
complaint!"

"Dear boy, that is true," murmured Athos, pressing his lips violently
together to conceal the emotion of which he was no longer master. "No,
I will no longer afflict you; only I do not comprehend what you mean by
waiting. Will you wait till you love no longer?"

"Ah! for that!--no, monsieur. I will wait till you change your opinion."

"I should wish to put the matter to a test, Raoul; I should like to see
if Mademoiselle de la Valliere will wait as you do."

"I hope so, monsieur."

"But, take care, Raoul! suppose she did not wait? Ah, you are young, so
confiding, so loyal! Women are changeable."

"You have never spoken ill to me of women, monsieur; you have never
had to complain of them; why should you doubt of Mademoiselle de la
Valliere?"

"That is true," said Athos, casting down his eyes; "I have never spoken
ill to you of women; I have never had to complain of them; Mademoiselle
de la Valliere never gave birth to a suspicion; but when we are looking
forward, we must go even to exceptions, even to improbabilities! _If_, I
say, Mademoiselle de la Valliere should not wait for you?"

"How, monsieur?"

"If she turned her eyes another way."

"If she looked fav