Page:Teleny, or The Reverse of the Medal, t. I.djvu/118

 And you do not think badly of me because I am here? Well, you are the only one for whom I have ever been unfaithful to my husband; though God knows if he be faithful to me. Still my love does not atone for my sin, does it?'

"Teleny did not give her any answer for an instant, he looked at her with dreamy eyes, then shuddered as if awaking from a trance.

Sin,' he said, 'is the only thing worth living for.'

"She looked at him rather astonished, but then she kissed him again and again and answered: 'Well, yes, you are perhaps right; it is so, the fruit of the forbidden tree was pleasant to the sight, to the taste, and to the smell."

"They sat down on a divan. When they were clasped again in each other's arms he slipped his hand somewhat timidly and almost unwillingly under her skirts.

"She caught hold of his hand, and arrested it.

No, Réné, I beg of you! Could we not love each other with a Platonic love? Is that not enough?'

Is it enough for you?' said he, almost