My Library

being, robed in majesty and beauty, who bade me heed you not, but to love this poor creature whose shadow was then before me—to love, but not confess it till the proper time should come;— that if I wedded another than him I might be happy, but that if I married him I would redeem a soul from a terrible fate. He bade me resist you, and to encourage the youth, cheer up his heart, and tell him not to despair, for he might be happy yet. He also”—but she had not time to say another word, for Beverly rushed forward, pushed Ravalette away, seized the woman’s hand, kissed it, and exclaimed: “ ‘Evlambéa!’ “ ‘Beverly!’ ” And in an instant they were locked in each other’s arms. It was indeed the friend of long-gone years, and yet I had not even suspected this fact, even after hearing the story of Im Hokeis and the gipsy adventure. I felt that this drama was getting deeper every minute, but had not time to think of one half of what was occurring ere the door was opened by no less a personage than the Commissary of Police, followed by two of the garde de ville, while, through the open door, I saw that the stairs and landing were literally crowded with gens d’arms.