Page:The Writings of Prosper Merimee-Volume 1.djvu/241

Rh found him pale, agitated, full of uneasiness. They seated themselves. Max dared not to open his mouth; and Madame de Piennes, agitated herself, without knowing positively why, remained silent for some time, and only furtively regarding her companion. At last she began: "Max," she said, "I am not going to reproach you"

He raised his head proudly enough. Their glances met, and he lowered his eyes immediately.

"Your good heart," she continued, "tells you more at this moment than I should be able to do. It is a lesson which Providence has wished to give you; I hope, I am convinced—it will not be lost."

"Madam," interrupted Max, "I scarcely know what has happened. That unfortunate girl threw herself out of the window, as I was told; but I have not the vanity, I should say the sorrow—to believe that the former relations between us have been the means of determining that act of madness."

"Say rather, Max, that when you were doing evil, you did not foresee the consequences. When you led that young girl astray, you did not think that one day she would attempt her life."

"Madam," cried Max with some vehemence, "permit me to say to you that it was not I who