“Mademoiselle, why should we part to-night?”
“Ah!” she replied, smiling at the passionate look which he gave her, “let us get into the carriage; the open air does not agree with us.”
Marie turned abruptly; the young man followed her, and pressed her arm with little respect, but in a manner that expressed his imperious admiration. She hastened her steps. Seeing that she wished to escape an importune declaration, he became the more ardent; being determined to win a first favor from this woman, he risked all and said, looking at her meaningly:—
“Shall I tell you a secret?”
“Yes, quickly, if it concerns you.”
“I am not in the service of the Republic. Where are you going? I shall follow you.”
At the words Marie trembled violently. She withdrew her arm and covered her face with both hands to hide either the flush or the pallor of her cheeks; then she suddenly uncovered her face and said in a voice of deep emotion:—
“Then you began as you would have ended, by deceiving me?”
“Yes,” he said.
At this answer she turned again from the carriage, which was now overtaking them, and began to almost run along the road.