Page:Georges Eekhoud - Escal Vigor, a novel.djvu/206

182 who profess to love me will not agree to live amicably together, but raise jealousies among themselves, I separate myself from her who has uttered threats and conspired enviously against another being who is dear to me. That is all. I have lived and will always live free as regards my sympathies and inclinations. For the rest," he continued, taking her by the hand, and looking at her with an ineffable expression of pride and defiance, "remember how I warned you before coming here into exile. I wished to separate from you. Have you forgotten your promise?—"I will be nothing but your faithful housekeeper and will not importune you in anything."—I yielded to your entreaties, but not without foreseeing that you would repent of not having abandoned me to my destiny. What has happened justifies me. This experiment is sufficient, I think. Come, Blandine, without rancour, this time the moment has come to part for ever."

What was it that she read so poignant, so critical in the Dykgrave's look.

"No, no, I will not," she cried. "I repeat my former promise. Thou wilt see, Henry, I will keep my word. Oh, do not tear me away all at once from thy presence and thy heart!"