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The Chevalier started, thrilled and almost appalled by the violence of

her passion

"I do pray," she cried "Every fibre in ive him leave to rescue her?"

"Could I refuse? I did delay him; I did hesitate Only to-day Gaydon

receives the passport, and even so I have delayed too long Indeed,

Maria, I dare not think of the shahness has

endured for me, lest my presence here, even for this farewell, should

too bitterly reproach me"

At that all Maria Vittoria's vehes

and entreaties With her vehenity She dropped

upon her knees and dragged herself across the room to him To James her

humility was more terrible than her passion, for passion had always

distinguished her, and he was faone hand in hand with it He stepped forward and would have raised her

froround, but Maria would have none of his help; she crouched at

his feet pleading

"You told me business would call you to Spain Go there! Stay there! For