And Marguerite began to speak. The words issued from her lips one by one--hoarse, jerky, tremulous. “Pardon, pardon, sister! pardon me! Oh, if only you knew how I have dreaded this moment all my life!” Suzanne faltered through her tears: “But what have I to pardon, little one? You have given me everything, sacrificed all to me. You are an angel.” But Marguerite interrupted her: “Be silent, be silent! Let me speak! Don't stop me! It is terrible. Let me tell all, to the very end, without interruption. Listen. You remember--you remember--Henry--” Suzanne trembled and looked at her sister. The younger one went on: “In order to understand you must hear everything. I was twelve years old--only twelve--you remember, don't you? And I was spoilt; I did just as I pleased. You remember how everybody spoilt me? Listen. The first time he came he had on his riding boots; he dismounted, saying that he had a message for father. You remember, don't you? Don't speak. Listen. When I saw him I was struck with admiration. I thought him so handsome, and I stayed in a corner of the drawing-room all the time he was talking. Children are strange--and terrible. Yes, indeed, I dreamt of him. “He came again--many times. I looked at him with all my eyes, all my heart. I was large for my age and much more precocious than--any one suspected. He came often. I thought only of him. I often whispered to myself: “'Henry-Henry de Sampierre!' “Then I was told that he was going to marry you. That was a blow! Oh, sister, a terrible blow--terrible! I wept all through three sleepless nights. “He came every afternoon after lunch. You remember, don't you? Don't answer. Listen. You used to make cakes that he was very fond of--with flour, butter and milk. Oh, I know how to make them. I could make them still, if necessary. He would swallow them at one mouthful and wash them down with a glass of wine, saying: 'Delicious!' Do you remember the way he said it? “I was jealous--jealous! Your wedding day was drawing near. It was only a fortnight distant. I was distracted. I said to myself: 'He shall not marry Suzanne--no, he shall not! He shall marry me when I am old enough! I shall never love any one half so much.' But one evening, ten days before the wedding, you went for a stroll with him in the moonlight before the house--and yonder--under the pine tree, the big pine tree--he kissed you--kissed you--and held you in his arms so long--so long! You remember, don't you? It was probably the first time. You were so pale when you came back to the drawing-room! “I saw you. I was there in the shrubbery. I was mad with rage! I would have killed you both if I could! “I said to myself: 'He shall never marry Suzanne--never! He shall marry no one! I could not bear it.' And all at once I began to hate him intensely.