"
He took her arm, to hurry her away; but she nimbly released herself.
"Wait," said she. "I have some money, some jewels. I will take them."
"It is useless. Leave everything behind. I have a fortune, Juliette; let
us fly!"
She had already opened her jewel box, and was throwing everything of
value that she possessed pell mell into a little travelling bag.
"Ah, you are ruining me," cried Noel, "you are ruining me!"
He spoke thus; but his heart was overflowing with joy.
"What sublime devotion! She loves me truly," he said to himself; "for my
sake, she renounces her happy life without hesitation; for my sake, she
sacrifices all!"
Juliette had finished her preparations, and was hastily tying on her
bonnet, when the door-bell rang.
"It is the police!" cried Noel, becoming, if possible, even more livid.
The young woman and her lover stood as immovable as two statues, with
great drops of perspiration on their foreheads, their eyes dilated, and
their ears listening intently. A second ring was heard, then a third.
Charlotte appeared walking on tip-toe.
"There are several," she whispered; "I heard them talking together.
Pages:
554
555
556
557
558
559
560
561
562
563
564
565
566
567
568
569
570
571
572
573
574
575
576
577
578