The examiner., 1885-12-19


 one's eyelashes! He took pen and paper and began to write-to whom? It could not be to a man, because he smiled. One does not smile in writing to 8 man. He began the letter two or three times, always looking to see if I still slept. Not move ment from me. Then he took some wax and little seal he carries in his pocket Gmpressively)-a seal I gave him!-and still smiling with an expressiOn-oh! an expression which made my heart sink. CSadly) Yes, he is right! An imagina- tion like mine is great affiiction. But what am to do? How shall correct it! use the means which seems the best to me-reasons, prayers, memories They are of no avail. It is as if I tried to cor rect myself for loving.
 PAUL Gin garden singing). 'Aflower once grew in crystal vase,
 Which not long its beauty nourished:"
 MARIE. An! he is singing Sully Prud hommes "Broken Vase"
 PAUL (Continues(. For a careless blow from fan of lace,
 Cracked the glass; yet the flower still
 fourished.'
 MARIE. Beautiful
 PAUL.
 "On its work of destruction the crack surel,
 sped;
 The pure water ebbed drop by drops
 token
 To those who doubted. yet saw the flower
 Take care! Touch it not--it is broken?'" MARIE. What & fine voice he has Whose music is it, wonder? PAUL (stin singing). "Thus these hearts of ours, than the vase nc
 less frail,
 Are bruised by the hands which we cherish:
 Then our hearts. too, break. and our lips -- pale,
 As we watch Loves flower slowly perish.' MARIE Ia little tearfully). What ex- pressionl
 ''In the eyes of the world no wound is there.
 Many stricken ones envy our lot,
 And heed us not as we cry in despair.
 Take care! It is dead--touch it not"
 MARIE Still more fearfuD. My heart misgives me. His emotion in singing this song seems regret-a reproachI. Have ] wounded him unknowingly? Is it my hand which has bruised his heart?- No, no, impossible. And then when he came to the line,
 "When our hearts. too, break, and our lips
 grow pale"
 it seemed to me that it was of his own feel ings he spoke, and at the words, ''it is broken" am afraid. There, there, I am 8 fool! Surely am too fond of him! She listens, closing her eyes.) It seems to me heard him call me. Yes, it was he. She runs to the window.) Paul. Did you call me? Vest You want some thing? Oh, yes, know-your vest. What? What is it? Have sewed on the button? Yes, an' it please you, sir, your wife always obeys orders. 0istening.) What? don't hear you! You are say ing-ohl-yesl You want me to throw it down! All right. Take care! (She throws the vest out of the window; paper falls from the pocket upon the foor) A paper-a letter! (She picks it up.) The mysterious epistle of last night! Yes, the very name; I recognize the red seal. O, my hearti (She lifts the letter to her face.) Perfumedl He never writes on scented paper to mel! And the address unfinished: '"To Madame -" No name? Why? (She examines the pa per on all sides.) Because-he was afraid some one else would read it. The seal was not enough, but he must gum the flap down too! ,(She looks closely at the letter) What do see? The first letter of name is half traced. A V-it is for her!-for Mime. de Verdiere! A right justiies all means. When thief enters your house, you have right to arm yourself agai nst him. GShe tears open the envelope reads; then falls upon a chair, her head in her hands After long pause, she raises her face, and says in low voice.) Heavens how ashamed ami am sure he is down there under the window, laughing at me. (Reading letter) "Ah! have thee jeal- ous onep' Smiling faintly.) Monster! how well you knew mel He divined that l would read it; well done, sir! You have a mind. Reading. 'I have thee, jea-' dare not look him in the face! (She rises softly, goes to the window, and peeps from behind the curtain, so as not to be seen.) Just as expected. There he is. Looking this way, tool He is laughing in his sleeve, no doubt. CThen throwing the curtain aside, she stands at the win dow, and sends him innumerab1e kisses from her finger tlps.) Oh, well, laugh if you want to! Make all the fun you like {; don't care! I am so happy! (Runs to the cradle.) Your son is awake. Call ing) Come here Paul. till hug you and ask you to forgive me by the side of this cradle. Hurry! Why does he not an- swer? Oh, we'll; then l am coming to look for you! She runs out; the curtain falls.)