"Gracchi!" Aristocrats, no doubt. "That would be too
much honor," replied she modestly. "At present, I must say adieu!" and
she moved off an inch at a time, in an uncertain hesitating manner, not
very difficult to read; but Riviere, you must know, had more than once
during this interview begged her to sit down, and in vain; she had
always thanked him, but said she had not a moment to stay. So he made no
effort to detain her now. The consequence was--she came slowly back
of her own accord, and sat down in a corner of the porch, where nobody
could see her, and then she sighed deeply.
"What is the matter now?" said Edouard, opening his eyes.
She looked at him point-blank for one moment; and her scale turned.
"Monsieur," said she timidly, "you have a good face, and a good heart.
All I told you was--give me your honor not to betray us."
"I swear it," said Edouard, a little pompously.
"Then--Dard was not so far from the truth; it was but a guess of his,
for I never trusted my own sweetheart as I now trust a stranger. But to
see what I see every day, and have no one I dare breathe a word to, oh,
it is very hard! But on what a thread things turn! If any one had told
me an hour ago it was you I should open my heart to! It's not economy:
it's not stinginess; they are not paying off their debts.
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