And just as Paul had reached this conclusion something happened—it was but a little thing—that upset all his well-laid plans. As the lady held out more tea for Paul and he drew near to take it, he caught once more, as at Lucerne, the faintest breath of that strange perfume so dear to his memory. His hand shook with such[183] sudden agitation that he set the cup upon the table, lest it fall. [183] The lady looked up quickly at Paul, and as he stood there over her their eyes met fairly. All skillful fencing was over. The time had come when the truth must be told. "Let us drop the mask, Mademoiselle," he said with a slight choke in his voice. Without warning the thrill of youth had fired his blood and he cast prudence to the four winds. What mattered conventionality? What mattered anything? He only knew that he cared more for her than for all else in the whole world, and he took her hand in his with a tumultuous heart. "I love you, dear," he said simply. "You yourself are the beautiful lady I have sought constantly since that time I first saw you, as I looked up into the[184] starry skies. At first I thought your eyes also were stars." [184] She gazed up at him for a moment, her hand motionless in his, while neither stirred. "My heart misgives me!" she said then. "Words are so easily said—they are often spoken idly—pour passer le temps—and soon forgotten. Ah! Sir Paul! forgive me, I beg of you—if I was mad once. I promise myself it shall never happen again. It was unfortunate—but there are things one cannot explain." "But I love you," Paul repeated. "Are you sure it is love?" she asked him. Ah! how well Paul knew now, and he bent toward the face of his dreams. "No! no! not that!" she said, and rose from her place. "You don't know what[185] you do. Please go! go! quickly, for I must be alone." [185] And then as Paul hesitated for an instant, she fled through the heavy draperies into the room beyond, leaving but a breath of the faint, sweet perfume to hallow the air. With heart bowed down Paul passed out through the great doorway, the words from an old play ringing through his brain:
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