"'I thank you. But little, then, remains to be said. We are bound to each other irrevocably, and we cannot part without disgrace. We have brought our griefs upon ourselves, and we must bear them in silence. The currents of my life are changed, and these gates shall never again be opened to friends. I have done with friendship as I have done with love. I ask you what course you have determined upon?'
"'I propose,' said my lady, 'to make these rooms my home, if you will give them to me to live in.'
"'They are yours,' he replied. 'Unless I am compelled by duty, or by circumstances which I do not at present foresee, I will never enter them during your lifetime.'
"'It is as I would have it,' she said. 'In daylight I shall not leave them. If I walk in the grounds it shall be at nightfall. Outside your gates I will never more be seen, nor will I allow a friend or an acquaintance to visit me. Will you allow Denise to wait upon me?'
"'She is your servant, and yours only, from this moment. I am pleased that you have selected her.'
"'Denise,' said my lady to me, 'are you willing to serve me?'
"'Yes, my lady,' I answered. I was almost choked with sobs, while they were outwardly calm and unmoved.
"'Then there is nothing more to be said--except farewell.' And my lady looked towards the door.
"He did not linger a moment. He bowed to her ceremoniously, and left the room.
"When he was gone I felt as if some sudden and fearful shock must surely take place, as if a thunderbolt would fall and destroy us, or as if my lady would fall dead at my feet, the silence that ensued was so unearthly. But nothing occurred, and when I had courage to look up I saw my lady sitting in a chair, white and still, with a resigned and determined expression on her face. It would have been a great relief to me if she had cried, but there was not a tear in her eyes.