She could not forego them, and would not! She knew that,
all the time her heart was melting beneath the passionate eyes of Le
Gardeur.
"I have spoken to Amelie, and promised to take her your answer to-
night," said he, in a tone that thrilled every fibre of her better
nature. "She is ready to embrace you as her sister. Will you be my
wife, Angelique?"
Angelique sat silent; she dared not look up at him. If she had, she
knew her hard resolution would melt. She felt his gaze upon her
without seeing it. She grew pale and tried to answer no, but could
not; and she would not answer yes.
The vision she had so wickedly revelled in flashed again upon her at
this supreme moment. She saw, in a panorama of a few seconds, the
gilded halls of Versailles pass before her, and with the vision came
the old temptation.
"Angelique!" repeated he, in a tone full of passionate entreaty,
"will you be my wife, loved as no woman ever was,--loved as alone Le
Gardeur de Repentigny can love you?"
She knew that. As she weakened under his pleading and grasped both
his hands tight in hers, she strove to frame a reply which should
say yes while it meant no; and say no which he should interpret yes.
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