Page:The Saint (1906, G. P. Putnam's Sons).djvu/161

Rh "You have not yet promised not to tell anything here in the house."

"I've promised at least ten times!"

"You know what you are to say do you not if you are questioned about my fainting last night?"

"I know."

"You must say that the Padre was not he; that I was disappointed, and that was why I fainted."

"Gracious, Jeanne! This is the twentieth time you have said that!"

"How cruel you are, Noemi! How little you care for me!"

Silence.

Jeanne's voice began again:

"Tell me what you think. Do you really believe he has forgotten me?"

"I will not answer that again!"

"Oh! please answer! Just one word, then I will let you go to sleep!"

Noemi reflected a moment and then answered drily, hoping to silence Jeanne:

"Well, I think he has. I do not believe he ever loved you."

"You say that because I myself have said so to you!" Jeanne retorted violently, no longer in a tearful voice.

"You are no judge of that!"

"Bon ça!" Noemi grumbled. "C'est elle qui me l'a dit, el je ne dois pas le savoir!"