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Rh Ploch for a month at least,—perhaps longer. Together with the great anticipated joy of possessing her without fear or obstacle, there mingled a keen uneasiness. I had no money, and I knew Juliette too well not to realize that she would not resign herself to a life like mine, and I foresaw expenditures which I was not in a position to make. What was to be done? Not having enough courage to ask her directly, I answered:

"We have plenty of time to think of it, my dear. In about three months from now when we shall go back to Paris.

"Three months! Why no, my poor little thing, I leave in a week. I am so sorry."

"Stay here, my little Juliette, I implore you, stay here altogether. Stay longer! A fortnight!"

"It is impossible, really. Oh, don't be sad, my dear! Don't cry! If you cry I won't tell you something very nice."

She became more affectionate, nestled and resumed:

"Listen, my dear. I have only one thought, and that is to live with you! We shall leave Paris, we shall move into a small house, hidden so well, you see, that no one will know that we are living. All we need is an income of twenty thousand francs."

"Where do you expect me to get that much now?" I exclaimed discouraged.

"Now, listen to me," continued Juliette. "We need only twenty thousand francs. Well, I have figured it all out! In six months we shall have it.

Juliette looked at me with a mysterious air and repeated:

"We shall have it!"

"Please don't talk like that, my dear. You don't know how you hurt me."