"Where does that beautiful baby come from?" he exclaimed.
She had already fled, but her mother, with beating heart and flushed cheeks, called her back, took her in her arms, and placed her on Léon's knees.
He was conscious of a sudden rush of memory, and in an inexplicable tide of feeling he gazed fondly at her, covered her with caresses, and then inquired her age in a voice that betrayed great emotion.
Elinor, confused and now convinced that he had guessed the truth, added a year.
"I should have taken her to be younger," said Léon, with a sign and fell into a muse.
The little girl, having forgotten her fears, now refused to leave the lap of her new friend; nor could he bear to set her down.
"But I must part you," said Elinor, smiling; "when I see you so distressed, I regret having brought her in."
"Ah, madame, if you knew of what she reminds me!"
"But if I may take you to be the hero of an interesting anecdote that I have by no means forgotten, I can easily guess—"
"Well, yes, madame, it was I, and though she has betrayed and cast me off, after apparently choosing me, I have remained in spite of myself faithful to her memory, ever regretting a shadow, and pursuing a vain chimera, unable to die, or to live happy any longer."