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 push forward a certain step in his plans to bind you to him. I mean, of course, your marriage."

Her face grew scarlet, and I guessed it was at the remembrance of the bluntness with which the General would have told her what he had heard about us. I could judge well enough the way he would speak.

"Have you seen him?" she asked after a pause.

"No; but I foresaw what must happen," I answered gently. "It was inevitable. The only practical proof you could give him of the falseness of the rumour that that woman has set abroad."

She locked her fingers tightly together, and her face was drawn and troubled. My heart ached for her. Remembering my own sorrow, I could gauge the bitterness of hers. Presently, in a low tone of despair, she said:

"The marriage is to take place in three days;" and, hiding her face then in her hands, she abandoned herself to emotions which she could no longer control. I turned to the window and looked out, that she might have time to regain some measure of calmness.

Presently I heard the rustle of her dress, and I turned round and went back to her.

"You have caught me in a moment of weakness, Count," she said, smiling through the cloud on her brow and in her eyes. "I think you had better leave me."

"I came prepared for the news. Indeed, I came to tell you myself that you must be ready to hear it."

"I would rather have heard it from you;" and she smiled wearily. Then, laying her hands impulsively in mine, she said sweetly but mournfully: "It is hard to inflict sorrow like this, and I do not hide from myself, dear friend, that this must give you pain. Believe