FRAGMENT OF A JOURNAL. 419 



was more dear to me than ever. One day, I happened to stroll 

 out alone into the suburbs, when I returned home I found L^ontine 

 in tears. Etienne was pacing up and down the room. His counte- 

 nance expressed deep anxiety. The moment I entered the apart- 

 ment, Etienne stopped and exclaimed, " Here you are at last, Fre- 

 derick. We have been expecting you with the utmost impatience !" 

 " What has happened ?" said I. " I am as ignorant as yourself," re- 

 plied he. " I.eontine has met with some extraordinary adventure 

 which she would not tell me till you came." I turned to Madame 

 de St. Foix and asked an explanation. " I must entreat you both 

 to give me a cool hearing. Promise me to listen to the end with- 

 out interruption." We both made the required promise, and, 

 although I was extremely anxious, I sat down and tried to appear 

 calm. She then began as follows : — " I went out this morning ac- 

 companied only by Victor, and, as the weather was so beautiful, I 

 determined to fake a stroll into the country. I went towards the 

 Tiber. I had observed in the streets a strange looking man who 

 seemed to follow us, but, as I knew Victor was armed, I felt no sort 

 of alarm, indeed, I hardly gave a thought to the circumstance. 

 Suddenly, however, as I was walking along the banks, this same 

 man came from behind a bush directly towards me. He advanced, 

 and said in a muffled voice in French, " Madame, I wish to speak 

 with you.'' I started back. He was enveloped in a thick cloak, and 

 his hat was slouched over his face, but I thought I knew his voice. 

 " Mr. de Bertou ! is it you '}" *' I cannot answer your question," 

 said he, "till you have told your servant to leave us a few minutes." 

 Resolved to know what he meant, I mentioned to Victor to retire a 

 few steps. I knew I could rely on him in case of treachery. The 

 stranger then threw aside his cloak, and I recognised indeed Henri 

 de Bertou. " You know," he said, " that I have long loved you. 

 Nay, start not, but listen to me. You know I have long pined after 

 you, that I have made you my idol, that I have sacrificed my life 

 to you, that I have sworn no other woman shall ever possess the 

 heart that I had consecrated solely to you. Listen,'' he continued, 

 as I attempted to speak, " pray listen to me. I had determined to de- 

 clare my aifection to you. I had resolved to ask your hand. Al- 

 though I knew you loved me not, I yet entertained a mad hope that 

 you would not discard me for ever. But that hated man who is 

 now in quiet possession of you overturned all my hopes. I knew not 

 who he was. I now know him, and ere long the name of St. Foix 

 shall be blotted from the earth.'' I was thunder-struck — I knew not 

 what to say — I was so bewildered I could hardly stand. However, 

 I lost not all power. I tried to speak, but he interrupted me. " For- 

 give me, Leontine, for thus torturing you. But I have sworn I 

 would not take my vengeance till I declared to you both my love 

 for you and my unquenchable hatred towards the destroyer of all 

 my happiness, that odious St. Foix. Try not to dissuade me from 

 my purpose. It is fixed, irrevocable. I have vowed that my sword 

 shall pierce the heart of St. Foix, and, unless I am prevented by 

 death, my oath shall be fulfilled. Seek me not. You will never find 

 me till your detested husband is dead. Adieu !'' 



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