at a loss to imagine why you re-appear at this time of the night."
A flash of anger heated the delicate coldness of her listener's face, his silken and gentle courtesies were forgotten for the moment.
"Such an hour, madame! It is not too late for that wild wanderer yonder to be favoured with an interview!"
The moment the words escaped him he repented them; he knew how rash they were with the nature and disdainful dignity of the woman to whom he spoke. Idalia cast one glance on him of superb indifference; but she gave no betrayal of surprise, not even of disquiet, far less of embarrassment.
"If you only came to arraign my actions. I will be obliged to you to retire."
"Wait. Hear me first. I can act indifference no longer. I came back to-night for one thing only—to tell you what you know, as well as you know that the stars shine yonder—that I love you!"
She heard him with that same indifference, and ironic amusement.
"I think we are too well acquainted with each other for this. I gave you more credit than to suppose you would talk in this fashion."
He looked up at her with a passionate pain; he
