"
This was not true, but Angelique had no scruple to lie to a lover.
She knew well that it was only from his vexation at her conduct that
Le Gardeur had pretended to renew some long intermitted coquetries
with the fair Cecile. "But why were you wicked at all that night?"
inquired she, with a look of sudden interest, as she caught a red
cast in his eye, that spoke of much dissipation. "You have been
ill, Le Gardeur!" But she knew he had been drinking deep and long,
to drown vexation, perhaps, over her conduct.
"I have not been ill," replied he; "shall I tell you the truth,
Angelique?"
"Always, and all of it! The whole truth and nothing but the truth!"
Her hand rested fondly on his; no word of equivocation was possible
under that mode of putting her lover to the question. "Tell me why
you were wicked that night!"
"Because I loved you to madness, Angelique; and I saw myself thrust
from the first place in your heart, and a new idol set up in my
stead. That is the truth?"
"That is not the truth!" exclaimed she vehemently; and never will be
the truth if I know myself and you.
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