I will go to her. She cannot forbid me now. Helene has been
with her," she said, turning to where the Vicomtesse stood watching her
intently. "Helene has been with her. And shall I, who have longed to
see her these many years, leave her now?"
"But you were going!" he cried, beside himself with apprehension at this
new turning. "You told me that you were going."
Truly, man is born without perception.
"Yes, I told you that," she replied almost defiantly.
"And why were you going?" he demanded. Then I had a sudden desire to
shake him.
Antoinette was mute.
"You yourself must find the answer to that question, Mr. Temple," said
the Vicomtesse, quietly.
He turned and stared at Helene, and she seemed to smile. Then as his
eyes went back, irresistibly, to the other, a light that was wonderful to
see dawned and grew in them. I shall never forget him as he stood,
handsome and fearless, a gentleman still, despite his years of wandering
and adventure, and in this supreme moment unselfish. The wilful,
masterful boy had become a man at last.
He started forward, stopped, trembling with a shock of remembrance, and
gave back again.
"You cannot come," he said; "I cannot let you take this risk. Tell her
she cannot come, Madame," he said to Helene. "For the love of God send
her home again.
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