Page:Marquis de Sade - Adelaide of Brunswick.djvu/125

 "If this secret concerned only me, Milady," said the young senator, "I would consider myself recompensed by the friendship of my family and of my country. You will see that this gives it a more serious nature."

"Yes, I admit that what you are giving me is more than what I am giving you. It is up to you to accept an unequal exchange."

"I am ready to tell you everything." Here the doors were closed carefully and Anthony took Adelaide to a corner of the room where he said to her in a whisper:

"It is a plot to overthrow the government. It is only right that in telling you the details that you become a member of the group and that you take the oath which they have already pronounced."

"I agree to that and you see, Anthony, that in doing so I am giving something in return for telling me the secret."

"If you betray us, we will all perish together. I am associating you with my death, and this idea frightens me. Thus you see, I am making the highest sacrifice for your friendship."

"You appreciate badly the sentiment which I have if you do not put it higher than friendship."

"But where will it take me?"

"Don't make me repeat what I said about being free. Come now, what is the oath which you want me to repeat?"

"To love me with the most tender love."

"You know I can't say anything like that," said Adelaide as she moved away with the thought that she would never come back to this house again.

"No," cried the senator holding her, "sign your name to this oath and I will tell you everything."

"I swear never to reveal what is going to be confided in me and to perform all things which are ordered me. I swear to make the sacrifice of my life if one can ever prove that I have betrayed those to whom I am linked."

"And now I am associated with the crime," said Adelaide a little troubled after putting down the pen with which she signed the name she used in Venice.

"No, it is not a crime, Milady, but the triumph of virtue. Our country is groaning under tyranny, and it is necessary to