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hose feelings of shame experienced for the faults of those we love。
〃Poor Felicia！〃 she said in a low voice； pitying not only the unhappy woman who had just passed them； but also him whom this defection must have smitten to the very heart。 The truth is that Paul de Gery had felt no surprise at this meeting； which justified previous suspicions and the instinctive aversion which he had felt for Felicia at their dinner some days before。 But he found it pleasant to be pitied by Aline； to feel the compassion in that voice becoming more tender； in that arm leaning upon his。 Like children who pretend to be ill for the sake of the pleasure of being fondled by their mother； he allowed his consoler to strive to appease his grief； speaking to him of his brothers； of the Nabob； and of his forthcoming trip to Tunisa fine country； they said。 〃You must write to us often； and long letters about the interesting things on the journey； the place you stay in。 For one can see those who are far away better when one imagines the kind of place they are inhabiting。〃
So talking； they reached the end of the bowered path terminating in an immense open glade through which there moved the tumult of the Bois； carriages and riders on horseback alternating with each other； and the crowd at that distance seeming to be tramping through a flaky dust which blended it into a single confused herd。 Paul slackened his pace； emboldened by this last minute of solitude。
〃Do you know what I am thinking of？〃 he said； taking Aline's hand。 〃I am thinking that it would be a pleasure to be unhappy so as to be comforted by you。 But however precious your pity may be to me； I cannot allow you to waste your compassion on an imaginary pain。 No； my heart is not broken； but more alive； on the contrary； and stronger。 And if I were to tell you what miracle it is that has preserved it； what talisman〃
He held out before her eyes a little oval frame in which was set a simple profile； a pencil outline wherein she recognised herself； surprised to see herself so pretty； reflected； as it were； in the magic mirror of Love。 Tears came into her eyes without her knowing the reason； an open spring whose stream beat within her chaste breast。 He continued：
〃This portrait belongs to me。 It was drawn for me。 And yet； at the moment of starting on this journey I have a scruple。 I do not wish to have it except from yourself。 Take it； then； and if you find a worthier friend； some one who loves you with a love deeper and more loyal than mine； I am willing that you should give it to him。〃
She had regained her composure； and looking de Gery full in the face with a serious tenderness； she said：
〃If I listened only to my heart； I should feel no hesitation about my reply： for； if you love me as you say； I am sure that I love you too。 But I am not free； I am not alone in the world。 Look yonder。〃
She pointed to her father and her sisters； who were beckoning to them in the distance and hastening to come up with them。
〃Well； and I myself？〃 answered Paul quickly。 〃Have I not similar duties； similar responsibilities？ We are like two widowed heads of families。 Will you not love mine as much as I love yours？〃
〃True？ is it true？ You will let me stay with them？ I shall be Aline for you； and Bonne Maman for all our children？ Oh！ then；〃 exclaimed the dear creature； beaming with joy； 〃there is my portraitI give it to you！ And all my soul with it； too； and forever。〃
THE JENKINS PEARLS
About a week after his adventure with Moessard； that new complication in the terrible muddle of his affairs； Jansoulet； on leaving the Chamber； one Thursday； ordered his coachman to drive him to Mora's house。 He had not paid a visit there since the scuffle in the Rue Royale； and the idea of finding himself in the duke's presence gave him； through his thick skin； something of the panic that agitates a boy on his way upstairs to see the head…master after a fight in the schoolroom。 However； the embarrassment of this first interview had to be gone through。 They said in the committee…rooms that Le Merquier had completed his report； a masterpiece of logic and ferocity； that it meant an invalidation； and that he was bound to carry it with a high hand unless Mora； so powerful in the Assembly； should himself intervene and give him his word of command。 A serious matter； and one that made the Nabob's cheeks flush； while in the curved mirrors of his brougham he studied his appearance； his courtier's smiles； trying to think out a way of effecting a brilliant entry； one of those strokes of good…natured effrontery which had brought him fortune with Ahmed； and which served him likewise in his relations with the French ambassador。 All this accompanied by beatings of the heart and by those shudders between the shoulder…blades which precede decisive actions； even when these are settled within a gilded chariot。
When he arrived at the mansion by the river； he was much surprised to notice that the porter on the quay； as on the days of great receptions； was sending carriages up the Rue de Lille； in order to keep a door free for those leaving。 Rather anxious； he wondered； 〃What is there going on？〃 Perhaps a concert given by the duchess； a charity bazaar； some festivity from which Mora might have excluded him on account of the scandal of his last adventure。 And this anxiety was augmented still further when Jansoulet； after having passed across the principal court…yard amid a din of slamming doors and a dull and continuous rumble of wheels over the sand； found himselfafter ascending the stepsin the immense entrance…hall filled by a crowd which did not extend beyond any of the doors leading to the rooms； centring its anxious going and coming around the porter's table； where all the famous names of fashionable Paris were being inscribed。 It seemed as though a disastrous gust of wind had gone through the house； carrying off a little of its calm； and allowing disquiet and danger to filter into its comfort。
〃What a misfortune！〃
〃Ah！ it is terrible。〃
〃And so suddenly！〃
Such were the remarks that people were exchanging as they met。
An idea flashed into Jansoulet's mind：
〃Is the duke ill？〃 he inquired of a servant。
〃Ah； monsieur； he is dying！ He will not live through the night！〃
If the roof of the palace had fallen in upon his head he would not have been more utterly stunned。 Red lights flashed before his eyes； he tottered； and let himself drop into a seat on a velvet…covered bench beside the great cage of monkeys。 The animals； over…excited by all this bustle； suspended by their tails； by their little long…thumbed hands； were hanging to the bars in groups； and came； inquisitive and frightened； to make the most ludicrous grimaces at this big； stupefied man as he sat staring at the marble floor； repeating aloud to himself； 〃I am ruined！ I am ruined！〃
The duke was dying。 He had been seized suddenly with illness on the Sunday after his return from the Bois。 He had felt intolerable burnings in his bowels； which passed through his whole body； searing as with a red…hot iron； and alternating with a cold lethargy and long periods of coma。 Jenkins； summoned at once； did not say much； but ordered certain sedatives。 The nex