An imploring glance at me accompanied these words. While continuing my conversation with M. de ----, my neighbour, I replied by so scornful a smile that Catherine all but betrayed herself. What shall I say? All these attempts which she indirectly made to calm me, or to grasp at the cause of so deep a resentment, were thus cruelly repulsed. She knew too well the various expressions of my countenance, her heart was too much in unison with mine, she was of too sensitive a nature, not to divine that it was not a question of a lover's quarrel, but that a great danger menaced her love. She had a presentiment of this danger; in despair she sought its cause, and was obliged to smile, and to follow an indifferent conversation. This torture lasted one hour. By degrees, her strength and self-control abandoned her; two or three times her absent-mindedness had been noticed; and, at last, there was such a change in her features that M. de ---- inquired if she were not well. This question confused her; she answered she was well, and rang the bell for tea. It was eleven o'clock. She took advantage of the momentary disturbance caused by the preparations for tea to come near me, saying: "Will you come and see a picture which is offered me for sale? It is there in the small parlour." "I am not much of a connoisseur," I replied, "but if I cannot venture on advising you, madame, I promise to give you truthfully my impressions." I followed her into the next room. At the risk of being seen, she took my hand, and in a voice almost extinct she said: "Arthur, have pity on me! What I am suffering is beyond my strength, beyond my courage!" At this moment, M. de ---- also entered the parlour to see the picture. Madame de Fersen had so completely lost her head, that I had abruptly to withdraw my hand from hers. I believe M. de ---- noticed the movement, for he appeared confused. "This picture is very good," I said to Catherine, "the expression is charming. Art has never more closely approached to nature." Madame de Fersen was so weak that she leaned upon an easy chair. M. de ---- admired the picture complacently. The servant announced to the princess that tea was ready. We returned to the drawing-room. Catherine could scarcely stand. According to her custom, she stood near the table pouring out the tea; she offered me a cup, and was gazing at me almost wildly, when the cracking of a whip and the jingling of bells were heard in the courtyard. Struck by a terrible presentiment, Catherine allowed the cup to slip from her fingers just as I was about to take hold of it, and cried, in a strangled voice: "What is that?" "A thousand pardons for my awkwardness, madame, and for the noise those wretches are making. As I take my departure to-night, I have taken the liberty to order my travelling carriage to come for me here, not wishing to lose one moment of the precious time I might enjoy your society."