"She might not be enabled to impose sufficient command on herself, and her very apprehensions might endanger the success of the projects I wish to work out for her good." "But what good can I do in the matter? Why is it so indispensable that you and myself should become such confidants?" "I will explain; but, in the first place, you must candidly answer the questions I shall put to you. Will you engage to do so?" "Alas! I seem as though you exercised some spell or fascination over my actions; although nearly a stranger to me, you seem to have inspired me with sufficient confidence in your words to do whatsoever you ask me." "Because I speak the pure language of truth, and that ever reaches the heart." "Oh no, no; I must not believe you. That female you sent so continually to seek me--so many artifices tried with such untiring perseverance to gain the ear of a simple girl like me, must conceal some deep, some hidden design." "Let my extreme anxiety to obtain an interview with you for the sake of revealing the passion with which you had inspired me, and of carrying out my good intentions to save and serve your honoured mistress, plead my excuse for having had recourse to such modes of accomplishing the two dearest wishes of my heart. Will you not accept my plea, dearest Iris?" "Perhaps I am wrong to do so; after having made me grant you an interview, even against my own judgment, I ought doubly to mistrust you." "Madame Grassot is certainly a clever reader of countenances," thought M. de Brévannes. "It is scarcely possible for a young person to exhibit more perfect silliness and childish simplicity than my dark friend here." However he did not deem it advisable to allow the prudent reflections of the mulatto to proceed further, as, hastily interrupting her, he said, with every appearance of earnest sincerity, "Why reproach yourself for what you have done? Our interview is based upon the purest and most praiseworthy motives; besides, remember, dear Iris, that far from yielding a ready assent to my prayers, you long hesitated ere you would bless me with the meeting which now renders me so happy." "Are you then happy?" "How can I be otherwise? When you are beside me, and your arm gently locked in mine?" "Let me beseech you to speak only of the princess." "Ah! now 'tis you who wish her to form the subject of our conversation." "'Tis fitting you should converse of that which brought you hither." "Then must I talk of you, dear Iris; or if that theme be forbidden me, indulge the dear delight of being near you, and silently enjoy the pleasure of walking by your side." "No; each minute I stay serves but to convince me you are deceiving me: let me return to the house. You had nothing to communicate to the princess, I feel persuaded; and are merely laying a snare to entrap me into some danger." "If even it were so?"