Poor child, that is one of our war-claims! As for Marcélite, I can't tell you what I think of her conduct. It is heroic; it is sublime! Oh, she will never want a friend as long as I live, or Félix either! And Ninie," calling her by her old, school, pet name, abruptly changing the subject, leaving her chair, too, to get nearer her friend, "there is something you must not deny me,—indeed I have a right to insist upon it; I am sure you will not wound me by a refusal. I thought of it instantly; I have planned it all out; I have even announced it to Félix and Stasie." The thin little woman had gone back, back, in her life, far away from the present; where was she going to stop, in the sweet loveliness of her caressing manner and words? She was so delicate, so genuine!
"Chérie, you must remain here too, you must be married from Bel Angely,—from the home of your oldest, best friends, with your old sister Aurore to wait on you, to love you to the last—"
"Aurore! my angel! my treasure! Titite,"—that was her little name. "It was my secret wish, my supreme desire! Ah, what a heart! What a friend!"
