"It is not your pity that I came to seek. Your mother formerly wished to take this journey. So I have done it."
Their good-bys were distressing. He kissed his children twice. Then he wished to offer his hand to Elizabeth, who had let hers fall down at her sides.
"Later" ... said he, "some day ... but it will be too late. Your patience has limits."
She thought: "Love has none," and said nothing, since he hesitated about her and his heart was elsewhere. Albert's last word was an "Au Revoir" which escaped him, and which she noticed. How long would she have to continue greater and greater self-sacrifice, and how long would she be kept on the brink of despair?
He had come in the morning, and in the evening she left.
In the afternoon various packages were sent to her address, containing all sorts of toys for Marie Louise and Philippe, as well as picture books chosen with care to give them some ideas of history and art. Albert had never forgotten to send New Year's presents to Grenoble, but this time he had stripped the shops and had applied himself to the task of conquering from a distance.
"It is not little Christmas," the little boy explained to his sister; "it is big Christmas."
And the little girl agreed that papa was kind. And for herself Elizabeth found in a jewel box, a ring set with a black pearl.
"Is it an engagement ring?" asked Marie Louise, who often talked about marriage to her dolls.
But Elizabeth did not answer.