You see that you were mistaken--that
Sauvresy suspects nothing, but loves you as well as ever."
The expression of Bertha's face suddenly changed; she sat quite
still, in a pensive revery.
"Don't let's talk any more of that," said she, at last. "Perhaps
I was mistaken. Perhaps he only had doubts--perhaps, although he
has discovered something, he hopes to win me back by his goodness.
But you see--"
She stopped. Doubtless she did not wish to alarm him.
He was already much alarmed. The next day he went off to Melun
without a word; being unable to bear the sight of this agony, and
fearing to betray himself. But he left his address, and when she
sent word that Sauvresy was always crying out for him, he hastily
returned. Her letter was most imprudent and absurd, and made his
hair stand on end. He had intended, on his arrival, to reproach
her; but it was she who upbraided him.
"Why this flight?"
"I could not stay here--I suffered, trembled, felt as if I were
dying."
"What a coward you are!"
He would have replied, but she put her finger on his mouth, and
pointed with her other hand to the door of the next room.
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