“It would have been more imprudent still to stay away,” he uttered. “Far from you, I felt myself dying.”
They were both leaning against the door of a closed shop; and they were as alone in the midst of the throng that circulated on the Boulevards, busy looking at the fearful wrecks of the Commune.
“And besides,” added Marius, “have I, then, a minute to lose? I asked you for three years. Fifteen months have gone, and I am no better off than on the first day. When this accursed war broke out, all my arrangements were made. I was certain to rapidly accumulate a sufficient fortune to enable me to ask for your hand without being refused. Whereas now—”
“Well?”
“Now every thing is changed. The future is so uncertain, that no one wishes to venture their capital. Marcolet himself, who certainly does not lack boldness, and who believes firmly in the success of our enterprise, was telling me yesterday, ‘There is nothing to be done just now: we must wait.’”
There was in his voice such an intensity of grief, that the girl felt the tears coming to her eyes.
“We will wait then,” she said, attempting to smile.
But M. de Tregars shook his head.
“Is it possible?” he said. “Do you, then, think that I do not know what a life you lead?”
Mlle. Gilberte looked up.