"
Angelique was not insensible to the devotion of Le Gardeur. Her
feelings were touched, and never slow in finding an interpretation
for them she raised his hand quickly to her lips and kissed it. "I
had no motive in sending for you but to see you, Le Gardeur!" said
she; "will that content you? If it won't--"
"This shall," replied he, kissing her cheek--which she was far from
averting or resenting.
"That is so like you, Le Gardeur!" replied she,--"to take before it
is given!" She stopped--"What was I going to say?" added she. "It
was given, and my contentment is perfect to have you here by my
side!" If her thoughts reverted at this moment to the Intendant it
was with a feeling of repulsion, and as she looked fondly on the
face of Le Gardeur she could not help contrasting his handsome looks
with the hard, swarthy features of Bigot.
"I wish my contentment were perfect, Angelique; but it is in your
power to make it so--will you? Why keep me forever on the threshold
of my happiness, or of my despair, whichever you shall decree? I
have spoken to Amelie tonight of you!"
"O do not press me, Le Gardeur!" exclaimed she, violently agitated,
anxious to evade the question she saw burning on his lips, and
distrustful of her own power to refuse; "not now! not to-night!
Another day you shall know how much I love you, Le Gardeur! Why
will not men content themselves with knowing we love them, without
stripping our favors of all grace by making them duties, and in the
end destroying our love by marrying us?" A flash of her natural
archness came over her face as she said this.
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