For the first time in her life, Madame de Hansfeld had a thought which horrified her, and with which she reproached herself as a crime. * * * * * She sought, we may say, a refuge in those exalted sentiments with which De Morville's love inspired her, and, like him, saw a future of happiness in a pure and unknown attachment; at least it escaped from the coarse malignity of the world, and would keep hidden in the shade all its delicacy, all its bloom, all its perfume. To write to De Morville frequently, see him occasionally, and know herself beloved by him, to repeat to him incessantly that she loved him, never to have to blush for this affection so passionately shared, what brilliant what dazzling hopes! A light knock which she heard at her door recalled Madame de Hansfeld to herself, she shut up De Morville's letter in a secret drawer, and said,-- "Come in." The door opened, and the Prince de Hansfeld entered his wife's apartment. CHAPTER XXV ANGUISH The prince's countenance was cold and disdainful. It would have been scarcely credited, that his mild features, melancholy, and so perfectly juvenile in expression, could have lent themselves to such a demonstration of icy severity. The princess looked at her husband with equal surprise and uneasiness. She had never seen him look thus. Arnold was pale and attired in black. Anxious to conceal her embarrassment, Paula said to him,-- "Are you going out this evening, Arnold?" "No, madame; I beg you to bestow on me a few moments." "Most certainly." "I have decided that we leave this hotel." "As you please, sir; only after all the expense you have lately bestowed upon it----" "That is my affair." "I have not the slightest objection to move. I will even tell you frankly, that I should be delighted to quit this lone quarter which was your sole selection." "I am so whimsical, so original; but what may appear to you, madame, more whimsical, more original still, is, that we shall leave this hotel the day after to-morrow." "And whither shall we go to live, sir?" "You will go to Germany." "What do you mean, sir?" "That you will go to Germany." "You are joking--you must be." "I have not the habit of doing so." "In this case, sir, may I know your motive for quitting Paris so hastily in the depth of winter?" "I do not leave Paris, madame, but _you_ will quit Paris the day after to-morrow. In a month, probably, I shall rejoin you. I have resolved on this." Madame de Hansfeld looked on the prince with amaze. He had often been angry and violent, but in the midst of his wrath, whose cause Paula in vain sought to fathom, there were bursts of excitement, cries of despair, which she pitied whilst they wounded her. Never in his life before had the prince spoken to her in so cold, severe, and cutting a tone. She replied, with a sort of fear caused by her surprise,--