Page:The Way of a Virgin.djvu/195

Rh "Stay—one moment."

"I do not wish to see aught."

"Not even a little?"

"Naught at all."

"Art angered with me, then?"

"Far from it. If thou hast been pleased, I am glad; and if thou hast filled her with desires, she will love me all the more."

"What happiness, my angel, could we, all three, be alone together and at liberty!"

"I feel it, but 'tis impossible."

"Art sure that we are sheltered from all curious eyes?"

"I am certain."

"The height of that wretched grille hath deprived me of the sight of many charms."

"Why didst not go to the other parlour? 'Tis much lower there."

"Let us go there."

"Not to-day. I could give no reason for the change."

"I will return to-morrow, and in the evening I start for Lyons."

The little boarder came back, and I stood up facing her. I had a number of beautiful seals and trinkets hanging from my watch-chain, and I had not had time to put myself in a state of perfect decency again. This she noticed, and my seals serving as a pretext for her curiosity, she asked if she might look at them.

"As long as you like, my jewel; look at them and touch them as well."

M—— M——, foreseeing what would happen, left the room, saying that she would return anon. I hastened to deprive the curious-minded young