"She has remained dull and pensive ever since she gave you the appointment which you so imperatively demanded." "She forced me to do so. I was so wretched at her refusal, that I forgot myself so far as to threaten her, which I no longer regret, since it has procured for me what I so much desired both for her interest and mine. But she is dull and pensive, you say?" "Yes; sometimes she remains for a long time as if completely overwhelmed; then suddenly she rises impetuously and walks up and down for some minutes greatly agitated." "And to what do you ascribe her state of mind?" "I know not." "This book, which you hesitate to confide to me, and which I dare not again ask you for, would inform us." "Oh, I have no desire to know the princess's secrets. It was to be agreeable to you, and to obey you, that I have brought this book: the key is in the lock, but I have not opened it." "Well, then, open it now, since what you call a wicked act has been committed, you have only to complete the vast service you have rendered me. Do you still hesitate? I know I have no other right to this kindness on your part, except----" "There I there! read it directly," said Iris, turning away her head, and handing the album to De Brévannes. "What I am doing is infamous, but I cannot resist the influence you have over me." [Illustration 12: "De Brévannes quickly opened the black book and perused its contents."] "The influence of a firm will," thought De Brévannes, as he quickly unclosed the black book, in which he read what follows, whilst Iris, with her elbow resting on the mantel-piece, her cheek reclining on her hand, and pretending not to be looking at her dupe, was attentively watching him in the glass. CHAPTER XXVII DETACHED THOUGHTS Iris had penned the following passages with a hand apparently faltering and agitated, as if the ideas had come hastily, confusedly, and irregularly, into the head of the princess:-- "I have seen him again at the Théâtre Française! All my griefs, all my regrets were awakened at the sight of him. "He will then pursue me every where. I never experienced such violent emotion: to be compelled to conceal all from the penetrating eyes of the world--from the indifferent glances of my husband. Is it hatred, indignation, or anger, which have thus disturbed me? "Yes, hatred, indignation, and anger, are the feelings I must feel for the man who killed my betrothed, him to whom I was plighted, and whom from my infancy I loved! Ought I not to execrate him who has dishonoured me by such infamous calumny? Oh, yes, I hate him!--I hate him!--and yet......" Here followed some words absolutely illegible, ending this first passage, and which furnished De Brévannes with a text for a world of conjectures. These words, "_and yet_" seemed to him a token of happy augury. He continued,-- "I was so overcome by my recent reflections that I durst not continue or trust to paper--alas! my sole confidant--the cause of my alarm.