"Agnes looked upon him with the same strange smile that her lips had worn ever since she had begun questioning him. 'Poor Raymond,' said she, 'do you, then, doubt my love? But tell me, have you not with you that book of knowledge, of which I spoke to you, containing the strange pictures?'
"'Yes.'
"'Let me see it;' and she held out her hand.
"Raymond hesitated. Agnes fixed her beautiful eyes upon him. 'Do you not love me, then?' said she.
"Raymond thrust his hand into his bosom, and drew from the pocket of an inner vest the little volume.
"Agnes took it, and look curiously at it. 'Raymond,' said she, 'will you give me this book for my own, to do as I choose with it?'
"Raymond made no answer.
"'You will not? Do you, then, love it more than me?' She stood holding the book, waiting for his reply.
"'I give it to you, Agnes,' said he at last.
"'And it is now mine to do with as I choose?'