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FUENCH CONyULSTVES, 6'55 



Raymon, full pi* strength and life ; vexations had not made him look older, 

 political tempests had not deprived him of a single hair ; he was there, calm 

 and beautiful, his brow resting on his white hand, which was lost in his 

 black hair. Indiana pushed the door with a brisk motion it opened without 

 resistance. 



" ' You have been waiting for me,' cried she, falling on her knees, and 

 leaning her drooping head upon his bosom. ' You counted the months, the 

 Jaysyou knew that the time was passed but you knew, too, that I could 

 not fail to answer your call ; it is you that have summoned me I am come, 

 I am come, I am dying.' Her ideas became confused in her brain, she 

 remained for a time silent, sobbing, incapable of speaking, thinking, 

 absorbed, overwhelmed by their sensation. And then she again opened her 

 eyes, recognized Raymon, as if awaking from a dream, uttered a cry of joy 

 and frenzy, and clung to him with the wildness of delight. He was pale, 

 mute, motionless, thunder-stricken. 



" ' Recognize me,' cried she ; ' it is I it is your Indiana it is your slave, 

 whom you have recalled from exile, and who has come from a distance of 

 three thousand leagues to love and serve you it is the companion of your 

 choice, who has quitted every thing, risked every thing, braved every thing, 

 to bring you this hour of joy. Are you happy? are you satisfied with her? 

 Speak, I await my recompence a word a kiss ; I shall be repaid an hun- 

 dredfold.' But Raymon replied not his admirable presence of mind had 

 abandoned him ; he was overwhelmed with surprise, remorse, and terror, on 

 beholding that woman at his feet he covered his face with his hands, and 

 wished for death. 



" 'My God my God ! you speak not to me, you do not embrace me!' 

 cried Madam Delmare, grasping his knees ' you are unable, then happi- 

 ness is overcoming it destroys I know it does. Ah, you suffer you are 

 choking I have surprised you too unexpectedly.' 



" ' I would weep,' said Raymon, in a smothered voice. ' And I, too/ said 

 she, while she covered his hands with kisses. ' Ah, yes 'twill do you 

 good weep, weep upon my bosom, I will dry your tears with my kisses ; 

 for, mind, Raymon, I have come to make you happy to be all that you can 

 wish. Hitherto I have been very cruel, very silly, very selfish ; I have 

 caused you much suffering, and I would not understand that I tasked you 

 beyond your strength. But, see, I have reflected on it since, and as you do 

 not fear to brave public opinion for me, I have no longer a right to refuse 

 you any sacrifice. Dispose of me, of my blood, of my life I am thine, 

 body and soul. I have traversed a space of three thousand leagues to be 

 thine to tell you this ; take me 1 am your property you are my master.' 

 Some infernal idea crossed the mind of Raymon, he withdrew his counte- 

 nance from his contracted hands, and gazed upon Indiana with a diabolical 

 coolness : a fearful smile then strayed upon his lips, and sparkled in his 

 eyes ; for Indiana was still beautiful. 



" ' At present I must conceal you,' said he, rising. 



" ' Why conceal me here ?' said she, ' are you not at liberty to receive me 

 to protect me me, who have nothing but you left upon earth, and who, 

 without you, would be reduced to beg upon the highway ? Away ! even the 

 world cannot find fault with you for loving me. It is I, who have taken the 

 responsibility on myself it is I, but where are you going ?' she exclaimed, 

 as she beheld him proceed towards the door. 



" It was his intention to shut and secure the door, but he was too late, it 

 opened before he could lay his hand upon it ; and Laura de Nangy entered 

 seemed less astonished than shocked uttered no exclamation bent forward 

 a little to view, askant, the lady who had fallen half-fainting upon the floor ; 

 then, with a cold, bitter, contemptuous smile 



" ' Madame Delmare,' said she, ' it seems it is your pleasure to place 



