Page:A Virgin Heart.pdf/78

74 had undermined him as more violent excesses had never done.

"What will become of me?" he thought. "This is a case of acute Platonism, marked by the most decisive symptoms. All or nothing! Otherwise I am a dead man."

He looked at Rose, meaning to put on a chilly expression; but those eyes of hers looked back at him so sweetly!

His thoughts became confused. He felt a desire to lie down in the grass and sleep, and he said so.

"All right, lie down and sleep. I'll watch over you and keep the ﬂies away from your eyes and mouth. I'll fan you with this fern."

She spoke in a voice that was caressingly passionate. It was like music. M. Hervart woke up and uttered words of love.

"I love you, Rose. The touch of your lips has refreshed my blood and brought joy to my heart. When I ﬁrst touched you, it was as though I were clasping a treasure without price. But tell me, my darling, you won't take back this treasure now you have given it?"

M. Hervart was breathing heavily. Rose shook her head and said, "No, I won't take it