t speaking out the secret of
those two hearts, what harm would be done. Who had the right to prevent
the susceptible Italian feeling the first impressions of the gentler sex
and owing them to Cesarine? He could but be thankful that he saw only
the prologue to "the great dreadful tragedy of Woman." He might blame
himself for cherishing the memory of the false wife, but he could not
annul that early sensation. Was it her fault, brought to France at the
sequel of a romantic adventure, if she met him, a castaway, and
disturbed his youth and innocence? There had not seemed any evil
intention in speech or behavior toward him, and he himself might be as
proud as she was of the pure and respectful sentiment which should have
contributed toward her amelioration. In this case, he--ignorant of the
counter-attraction of the Viscount de Terremonde--imagined that she had
struggled also against the pressure of nature and the sin was no more
when she triumphed.

"Well, listen to the secret which we can discuss," said she. "I wish to
be associated with you in a good action, which, I hope, will lead to
many another, if it is the first. One of these days, when you learn the
story of my life, you will see there was a little good in it to shine on
the dark background. Are you not willing to help me increase it? In this
case, that good and honorable man will profit."

Antonino listened spellbound, he could have been ordered up to their own
terrible cannon's mouth by that resistless voice.

"Let me live one day in your youth, illusions and unstained conscience,"
she implored. "Well, here in this little pocketbook are letters of
credit for two hundred thousand francs. It is all I have--take it."

"What am I to do with it?" said Antonino.

"Put it away somewhere out of my reach to retake it. I know myself and
that, if I have a good thought one day, I might entertain the reverse on
the next. If I broke into the money, I could not replace the sum
extracted, and, another thing, I cannot make the use of it I intended.
Leave me to win from my husband the acceptance of the help I wish to
give him. It may take long, but until then, pray keep the money; that
will not entangle you in any degree."

What a strange woman! he thought. She does evil with the easy, graceful
air of an almsgiver distributing charity, and she does good with the
stealth of a criminal!

"I am a fair example of my sex," said she, divining what was in his
mind, "weak, ignora