I hate him, of course, but I was sorry for
him. I could not help being. He sighed so all the time, piteously."
Josephine turned pale, and lifted her hands in surprise and dismay.
"Depend on it, Josephine, we are wrong," said Rose, firmly: "these
wretches will not stand our nonsense above a certain time: they are not
such fools. We are mismanaging: one gone, the other going; both losing
faith in us."
Josephine's color returned to her cheek, and then mounted high.
Presently she smiled, a smile full of conscious power and furtive
complacency, and said quietly, "He will not go."
Rose was pleased, but not surprised, to hear her sister speak so
confidently, for she knew her power over Camille. "That is right," said
she, "go to him, and say two honest words: 'I bid you stay.'"
"O Rose! no!"
"Poltroon! You know he would go down on his knees, and stay directly."
"No: I should blush all my life before you and him. I COULD not. I
should let him go sooner, almost. Oh, no! I will never ask a man to stay
who wishes to leave me. But just you go to him, and say Madame Raynal
is going to take a little walk: will he do her the honor to be her
companion? Not a word more, if you love me.
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