"Yes--I confess I did think that if I separated myself altogether
from him it might induce him to put himself in a more honourable
position with me--but I did not know then--" she paused, and a deep
flush crimsoned her cheeks.
"Did not know what?" queried Madame Bozier softly.
Sylvie hesitated a moment, then spoke out bravely.
"I did not know then that I should meet another man whose existence
would become ten times more interesting and valuable to me than his!
Yes, Katrine, I confess it! There is no shame in honesty! And so, to
be true to myself, however much the Marquis might love me now, I
could never be his wife."
Madame Bozier was silent. She guessed her beloved pupil's heart's
secret,--but she was too tactful to dwell upon the subject, and
before the brief, half-embarrassed pause between them had ended, a
servant entered, asking,
"Will the Signora Contessa receive the Capitano Ruspardi?"
Sylvie rose from her seat with a look of surprise.
"Ruspardi?--I do not know the name."
"The business is urgent;--the Capitano is the bearer of a letter to
the Signora Contessa."
"Remain with me, Katrine," said Sylvie after a pause,--then to the
servant--"Show Captain Ruspardi in here.
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