Page:Works of Jules Verne - Parke - Vol 7.djvu/360

 "Mr. Fogg," then said Aouda, rising and holding out her hand to the gentleman, "do you wish at once a relative and a friend? Will you have me for your wife?"

Mr. Fogg, at this, rose in his turn. There seemed to be an unusual reflection in his eyes, a trembling of his lips. Aouda looked at him. The sincerity, rectitude, firmness, and sweetness of this soft look of a noble woman, who dared everything to save him to whom she owed everything, first astonished him, then penetrated him. He closed his eyes for an instant, as if to prevent this look from penetrating deeper. When he opened them again, he simply said, "I love you. Yes, in truth, by everything most sacred in the world, I love you, and I am entirely yours!"

"Ah," cried Aouda, pressing his hand to her heart.

He rang for Passepartout. He came immediately. Mr. Fogg was still holding Aouda's hand in his. Passepartout understood, and his broad face shone like the sun in the zenith of tropical regions.

Mr. Fogg asked him if he would be too late to notify Rev. Samuel Wilson, of Mary-le-Bone parish.

Passepartout gave his most genial smile.

"Never too late," he said.

It was then five minutes after eight.

"It will be for to-morrow, Monday," he said.

"For to-morrow, Monday?" asked Mr. Fogg looking at the young woman.

"For to-morrow, Monday!" replied Aouda.

Passepartout went out, running as hard as he could.

is time to tell here what a change of opinion was produced in the United Kingdom when they learned of the arrest of the true robber of the bank, a certain James Strand, which took place in Edinburgh on the 17th of December.

Three days before, Phileas Fogg was a criminal whom the police were pursuing to the utmost, and now he was the most honest gentleman, accomplishing mathematically his eccentric tour around the world.