"Elizabeth, remember, I have loved you."
And in a lower voice, as if remorsefully:
"I do love you."
"If you love me, go away to-night. Do not remain here. I beg you—if you love me."
Her eyes, too intense, supplicated him, even more than her words.
"Yes, Elizabeth, I must be worthy of you."
With a heavy heart, only half free from another passion which exaltation could momentarily cloak with a film, but not suppress, he went away into the dark and starry night. From the threshold, she tried to pierce the darkness to catch the sound of his footsteps. Bewildered, trembling, with a thrill of emotion, she thought:
"Why has he gone?"
V
THE PHANTOM
Exceptional weather had prolonged the season at Uriage a little later than usual. It was the last day of September, and it might have been said that the mountains were taking pains to look their best in the autumn light. How could one decide to leave so peaceful and beautiful a horizon?