“Adéonne!”
“Do not become excited: you see that I am perfectly calm. I repeat that you are both a fool and a coward. The first duty of a man is to live for the woman whom he loves and who loves him. The characteristic of a man of intelligence is to prefer that happiness he knows to that which is untried. Of what importance is it to me that you are going to be married, since you love me no longer? I should only ask time to avenge myself, if I did not love you still. It is a great misfortune for me; for my love will kill me, if I cannot succeed in crushing it, which would be little better than death itself.”
“Do you desire me to break off this marriage?” demanded Eusebe. “There is yet time.”
“No, Eusebe. If you were to revoke your promise, I could not recall my illusions.”
CHAPTER XLIII.
“M.——
“Monsieur and Madame Bonnaud, rentiers, have the honor to notify you of the marriage of their daughter, Mademoiselle Louise Clementine Bonnaud, with Monsieur Eusebe Martin.