"As much hypocrisy in language, as audacity in the most criminal actions!" said the prince, in a low voice, and as if speaking to himself; "this it is that confounds my reason, and makes me always doubt this woman's crimes. Fortunately, at this moment she is completely unmasked, for my fatal love is utterly extinct." Then, addressing Paula, he said aloud,-- "I come, madame, to desire you to make every hasty preparation for your departure. You must leave Paris before to-morrow evening!" "Sir, I will not quit Paris!" "Then, madame, you prefer that I should speak out?" "You have used that threat very frequently, sir. For the love of Heaven speak plainly, and I shall then know what you have to reproach me with." "You rely too much on the respect I have for my name and my dread of a public scandal. Take care, and do not drive me to extremities. Be advised--go--depart!" "To speak plainly, sir, I am not your dupe; you wish to alarm me--compel me to leave Paris--and wherefore? in order that your departure may also be supposed to be taken also, and that you may thus more easily preserve your _incognito_." "What mean you, madame?" "And that you may, thanks to this _incognito_, be favourably received by Pierre Raimond, the father of Madame de Brévannes." "Madame, take care!" "Of Madame de Brévannes, of whom you are enamoured, and whom you so often meet at her father's house." At these words the prince remained struck with amaze, his pale face became purple, and after a moment's silence he exclaimed,-- "Not another word, madame--not another word!" "You love this woman," added Madame de Hansfeld. "Not another word, I say, madame!" "And she gives you _rendezvous_ at her father's house. It's rather a sudden affair," added Madame de Hansfeld, with irony. "You are unworthy even to utter the name of such an angel!" cried the prince. "Really! Well, then, I am somewhat curious to know what the husband of this angel will think of your interview with his wife?" "Do you dare?" "Particularly when he learns that you introduced yourself to Pierre Raimond under an assumed name!" "Are you thus resolved to drive me mad?" exclaimed the prince, passionately. "You talk of derangement, but it is you who are deranged, wretched woman, when you thus sport with your fate." "The future will prove whether you or I am deranged, sir. I have been long accustomed to the wanderings of your reason; and I do not know if at this moment you are in your senses. But, however that may be, impress on your memory this--if you persist in making me quit Paris, I will disclose every thing to M. de Brévannes." "Silence, madame, silence!" "Be it so; I will be silent: but you know my conditions." "Conditions to me! dare you impose any?"