Page:Georges Eekhoud - Escal Vigor, a novel.djvu/210

186 intimacy and communion of Kehlmark and the young Govaertz.

Atrocious heart-rendings! At times, nature and instinct fought to resume their sway: she was on the point of denouncing Landrillon to his master; but the domestic if dismissed, would have avenged himself on Kehlmark by revealing what he called "his disgraceful conduct." At other times, Blandine, at the end of her strength, placed between the harrowing alternatives, either to give herself up to Landrillon or to ruin Kehlmark, had resolved to fly, to throw up the game; she even longed for death, thought of casting herself into the sea, but her love for the Count prevented her from putting such a project into execution. She could not abandon him to the snares of his enemies; she desired to protect him, to serve him as a shield and buckler against himself.

As she had to do terrible violence to herself not to show too much coldness to the young Govaertz, she avoided meeting with him, keeping out of his way and refrained as much as possible from coming to the table. She explained these absences by alleging headache.

"What can be the matter with Madame