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THE CONFESSION OF A FOOL 107
The Baroness, more dead than alive, met me in the
drawing-room, pressed my hand against her heart and
thanked me warmly for having resolved not to rob her
of a friend, a brother, for the sake of a mere nothing, a
misunderstanding.
’"I really think slie’s going out of her mind,’’ laughed
the Baron, releasing me from her hands.
" I am mad, I know, mad with joy that our friend has
come back to us after he had decided to leave us for ever."
And she burst into tears.
"She’s been suffering a great deal," explained her
husband, disconcerted by this scene.
And, indeed, she looked as if she were in a high fever.
A sombre fire burned in her eyes, which seemed to take
up half of the little face ; her cheeks were of a greenish
pallor. The sight of her hurt me. Her frail body was
shaken by fits of coughing.
Her uncle and father-in-law arrived unexpectedly.
The fuel in the great stove was replenished, and we sat
down before the fire, without lighting the lamps, to enjoy
tlie cosy hour of the gathering twilight.
She took a seat by my side, while the three men began
to talk politics.
I saw her eyes shine through the dusk, I felt the warmth
which radiated from her body.
Her skirts brushed against me, she leaned over to say
something meant for me alone, and attacked me with a
whispered question
—
" Do you believe in love ?
"
"No!"
My " no " struck her like a blow, for I had at the same
time jumped up and changed my seat.
She must be mad, I thought ; and afraid of a scene I
suggested that we should have the lamps lighted.
Puring supper uncle and father-in-law discussed cousin
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