"Be silent," he commanded, more sternly than he had ever spoken to any man, woman or child in his life. His face had paled; his eyes were like steel. The very thought of hearing her name reviled by the jealous woman before him filled him with wrath.
She stood silent, but with flashing eyes, her breast heaving with excitement.
"It is true, then?" she panted. "You are going to marry her--tell me the truth----"
"I did not say so," he returned, slowly and painfully.
"Then you don't love her. Ah, I knew it!" she cried triumphantly.
He did not reply; and she read in his silence the confirmation of her fears.
"Adrien, is it possible--you love her, and she----"
"Eveline," he said, "for the sake of our past friendship"--she started at the words--"do not say any more. You know we have only played with the divine passion. It has beguiled many a pleasant hour, but I do not think it has been anything more than a pastime."
"Not to you," she said almost sullenly. "But how dare you doubt my feelings? How dare you insult me?"
"I did not mean to hurt you," he said gently, and her voice softened at his tone.