Page 54 (1/2)

"Well, but the duke?"

"What duke?"

"My jealous old duke"

"He will know nothing"

"And if he should?"

"He would forgive you"

"Ah, no, he would leave me, and ould become of me?"

"You risk that for soave not to adht" "It is true; but that is a serious friend"

"For whoainst him at

such an hour"

"It is not for you to reproach me, since it was in order to receive you,

you and your friend"

Little by little I had drawn nearer to Marguerite I had put h lightly on my clasped

hands

"If you kne much I love you!" I said in a low voice "Really true?"

"I swear it"

"Well, if you will pro I tell you, without a word,