Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1908-01-23
CHAPTER XIII
Passion.

The wise little woman passed a
restless night, imagining all the prob
able or possible consequences # the
grave revelation which she had made
to Pierrepont. That revelation had
been torn from her by such an imper-
ion suecessity that her conscience
could not reproach her. There was
no doubt that her duty was to pre-
vent, even at that price, the menace
of a personal and bloody conflict be-
tween PierTepont and FaDrice. But
none the less she did not depl0re her
having been reduced to that aXtrem-
ity. She could not deceive herself in
regard to the fact that by the force
of circumstances Beatrice was going
to be placed in an infinitely delicate
situation visa-vis of the man she
loved, and who was in possession of
her secret. To have let her friend re-
main ignorant that Pierrepont had
come into possession of that conf
dence would have been an illusory
precaution, for she could not hope
that the Marquis W. t1ld condemn him
self to the same reserve; it was i'm
possible to suppose that he would now
consent, charged with the contempt Of
Beatrice, without trying to offer her
an excuse of justification of repent
ance, were it for nothing but Ehe con
duct and offensive language of the
evening before. Since an explicat;on
was inevitable, Nine. d,Aymaret
thought that it could better, Or at
least less perilously, be heard from
her mouth than from Pierrepon|s and
she resolved to make the revelation.
In regard to the relations which would
be established between Beatrice and
the Marquis, SHE could see nothing
better to be done to prevent danger
than to call up sentiments of honor
that she knew they both possessed.
Frank and upright herself, she placed
a generous and, perhaps, excessive
confidence in frank and outspoken
means. And, moreover, in dealing with
the circumstances that presented
themselves, she could think of no
better means. az
1t was in this disposition that the
Marquis de Pierrepont found her when
he called at her home at the hour
fixed on that day. He was extremely
serious and his handsome features.
slightly altered, bore no trace of the
cynical smile which had been fixed
upon them for some time past, in a
sort of nervous tic.
First, assure me, my dear lady,
that l did not dream that which you
told me last evening"
You did not dream it. Let US both,
if possible, talk a lite more reason
ably. You have been relieved of a
chimera which was tearing out your
heart. 1t was a little contrary to me,
l admit, but then, however, you must
admit that it was also by my will.
An infinite good Will
we shall see. Let US talk Of things
as they are. Now, you possess the sec
ret of Beatrice, You know that she
has loved you much, and instead of
having betrayed and sacrificed you,
as you thought, she sacrificed herself.
No doubt, today she has other affect
ions, other duties, and you viii not
attempt, am sure, to turn her from
them; but if you abuse my TO ICED in
discretion, you might, at least, trouble
her repose, and as for me, in return
for the service that | have just rem
Tered you, you would plunge me into
an abyss Of chagrin."
"Say what you wish me to do"
Monsieur de Pierrepont, you are
forever separated from the woman
with whom you have dreamed of be
ing united, and you loved as you love
her, it is very sad and great mis-