On a little wooden bench sat Diana, twisting in her fingers a sprig of wall-flower, which she had picked, without knowing what she did. As Bussy approached her, she raised her head, and said timidly, “M. le Comte, all deception would be unworthy of us; if you found me at the church of St. Marie l’Egyptienne, it was not chance that brought you there.” “No, madame; Rémy took me out without my knowing where I was going, and I swear to you that I was ignorant----” “You do not understand me, monsieur, I know well that M. Rémy brought you there, by force, perhaps.” “No, madame, not by force; I did not know that he was going to take me to see any one.” “That is a harsh speech,” said Diana, sadly, and with tears in her eyes. “Do you mean that had you known, you would not have come?” “Oh, madame!” “It would have been but just, monsieur; you did me a great service, and I have not thanked you. Pardon me, and receive all my thanks.” “Madame----” Bussy stopped; he felt so overcome, that he had neither words nor ideas. “But I wished to prove to you,” continued Diana, “that I am not ungrateful, nor forgetful. It was I who begged M. Rémy to procure for me the honor of this interview; it was I who sought for it, forgive me if I have displeased you.” “Oh, madame! you cannot think that.” “I know,” continued Diana, who was the strongest, because she had prepared herself for this interview, “how much trouble you had in fulfilling my commission; I know all your delicacy; I know it and appreciate it, believe me. Judge, then, what I must have suffered from the idea that you would misunderstand the sentiments of my heart.” “Madame, I have been ill for three days.” “Oh! I know,” cried Diana, with a rising color, “and I suffered more than you, for M. Rémy, he deceived me, no doubt; for he made me believe----” “That your forgetfulness caused it. Oh! it is true.” “Then I have been right to do as I have done; to see you, to thank you for your kindness, and to swear to you an eternal gratitude. Do you believe that I speak from the bottom of my heart?” Bussy shook his head sadly, and did not reply. “Do you doubt my words?” said Diana. “Madame, those who feel a kindness for you, show it when they can. You knew I was at the palace the night of your presentation, you knew I was close to you, you must have felt my looks fixed on you, and you never raised your eyes to me, you never let me know by a word, a sign, or a gesture, that you were aware of my presence; but perhaps you did not recognize me, madame, you have only seen me twice.” Diana replied with so sad a glance of reproach, that Bussy was moved by it. “Pardon, madame,” said he; “you are not an ordinary woman, and yet you act like them. This marriage----” “I was forced to conclude it.” “Yes, but it was easy to break.” “Impossible, on the contrary.” “Did you not know that near you watched a devoted friend?” “Even that made me fear.”