Page:Georges Eekhoud - Escal Vigor, a novel.djvu/213

Rh "Ah," he continued, "thou wishest to separate me from this child! So much the worse for thee! Thou shalt see at once how I detach myself from me. And to begin, this is my reply to thy appeals. Henceforth, Guidon shall leave me no more; he shall live in the chateau for good."

"Take care; I suffer to such an extent that I may do thee harm without intending it. There are moments when I feel myself going mad, when I can no longer answer for myself."

"How then, about me!" sneered the Dykgrave, "I am at the end of my patience. Thou hast wished it; thou hast forced me to come to these extremities. I spared thee; I confined myself to suffering alone; in order not to afflict thee I hid my sore, my secret. Unhappy Blandine, I dealt with thee gently convinced that thou also would'st refuse to understand me and would'st deny me. Thou hast wished to know; thou shalt know all. Be at ease, I will now conceal nothing from thee. Henceforth no further need to spy on me. Thy jealousy did not deceive thee: it is indeed love, the most absolute love, with which I love young Guidon … I adore him."