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I had a moment's weakness when she spoke I ithin an ace of advancing and casting iveness But I set the inclination down betimes Such expedients would not avail me here

"What I have to say, mademoiselle," I answered after a pause, "would justify a saint descending into, hell; or, rather, to make my metaphor more apt, would warrant a sinner's intrusion into heaven"

I spoke solemnly, yet not too solemnly; the least slur of a sardonic humour was in my tones

She moved her head upon the white coluesture one of her brown curls became disordered I could fancy the upward tilt of her delicate nose, the scornful curve of her lip as she answered shortly "Then say it quickly,thus bidden, I said quickly "I love you, Roxalanne"

Her heel beat the shi parquet of the floor; she half turned towards er

"Will you say what you have to say,said it, will you go?"

"Mademoiselle, I have already said it," I answered, with a wistful s round upon er in her blue eyes--eyes that I had known dreamy, but which were now very wide awake "Was it to offer me this last insult you forced your presence upon me? Was it to mock me with those words, me--a woman, with no man about ht look for in you"

"Madean

"I do you no wrong," she answered hotly, then stopped, unwilling haply to be drawn into contention with me "Enfin, since you have said what you cao?" And she pointed to the door

"Madean in a voice of earnest intercession

"Go!" she interrupted angrily, and for a second the violence of her voice and gesture almost reminded me of the Vicomtesse "I will hear no more from you"

"Mademoiselle, you shall," I answered no whit less firmly

"I will not listen to you Talk if you will You shall have the walls for audience" And she e I was courteous to the last degree; I bowed low before her as I put --that you should offer me violence!" she exclaimed

"God forbid!" said I