"How? Where?"
"As I am able to come this evening without making mamma uneasy, I shall find some excuse to come again next week."
He shook his head.
"Have you engagements for the whole of next week?" she asked with uneasiness.
"Where shall I be next week, to-morrow, in a few days?"
"You alarm me. Explain, I beg of you. O Victor, have pity! Do not leave me in suspense."
"You are right; I ought to tell you everything, and not let your tender heart torment itself, trying to explain my preoccupation."
"If you have cares, do you not esteem me enough to let me share them with you? You know that I love you; you only, to-day, to-morrow, forever!"
Saniel had not left her ignorant of the difficulties of his position, but he had not entered into details, preferring to speak of his hopes rather than of his present misery.
The story that he had already told to Glady and Caffie he now told to Phillis, adding what had passed with the concierge, the wine-seller, the coal man, and Joseph.