"But oh, how hard it is to live!"
"I hope to make it less hard to you ere long," said the doctor quietly.
He then congratulated himself on having forced Josephine to confide in
him. "For," said he, "you never needed an experienced friend more than
at this moment. Your mother will not always be so blind as of late.
Edouard is suspicious. Jacintha is a shrewd young woman, and very
inquisitive."
Josephine was not at the end of her concealments: she was ashamed to let
him know she had made a confidant of Jacintha and not of him. She held
her peace.
"Then," continued Aubertin, "there is the terrible chance of Raynal's
return. But ere I take on me to advise you, what are your own plans?"
"I don't know," said Josephine helplessly.
"You--don't--know!" cried the doctor, looking at her in utter amazement.
"It is the answer of a mad woman, is it not? Doctor, I am little better.
My foot has slipped on the edge of a precipice. I close my eyes, and let
myself glide down it. What will become of me?"
"All shall be well," said Aubertin, "provided you do not still love that
man.
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