"You used, on your side, to show the same friendship toward me, and had the same confidence in me. Why have you not, on this occasion, been my friend, and why have you shown a suspicion of me?"
Mile, de la Valliere did not answer.
"I had thought you loved me," said Raoul, whose voice became more and more agitated; "I had thought that you had consented to all the plans which we had, together, laid down for our own happiness, at the time when we wandered up and down the large walks of Cour-Cheverny, and under the avenue of poplar-trees leading to Blois. You do not answer me, Louise."
"Is it possible," he inquired, breathing with difficulty, "that you no longer love me?"
"I did not say so," replied Louise softly.
"Oh! tell me the truth, I implore you; all my hopes in life are centered in you; I chose you for your gentle and simple tastes. Do not suffer yourself to be dazzled, Louise, now that you are in the midst of a court where all that is pure becomes corrupt — where all that is young soon grows old. Louise, close your ears, so as not to hear what may be said; shut your eyes, so as not to see the examples before you; shut your lips, that you may not inhale the corrupting influences about you. Without falsehood or subterfuge, Louise, am I to believe what Mademoiselle de Montalais stated? Louise, did you come to Paris because I was no longer at Blois?"
La Valliere blushed and concealed her face in her hands.
"Yes, it was so, then!" exclaimed Raoul delightedly; "that was, then, your reason for coming here. I love you as I never yet loved you. Thanks, Louise, for this devotedness; but measures must be taken to place you beyond all insult, to secure you from every harm; Louise, a maid of honor, in the court of a young princess in these times of freedom of manners and inconstant affections — a maid of honor is placed as an object of attack, without having any means of defense afforded her; this state of things cannot continue; you must be married in order to be respected."
"Married?"
"Yes, there is my hand, Louise; will you place your hand within it?"
"But your father?"
"My father leaves me perfectly free."
"Yet "
"I understand your scruples, Louise; I will consult my father."
