Some one proposing to dance, Marguerite started up and began waltzing, but soon her cough came upon her, and she was obliged to sit down half-fainting. The youth Armand ran to her, almost stranger as he was. “You suffer, lady!” “Oh! no, no! take no heed of me; leave me for a little, and I shall soon be myself again.” They left the room, laughing and chattering (so used were they to her attacks); but the youth called Armand came gently back, as this poor lady looked at herself in a glass, with affright. “You are still pale--” “Ah! ’tis you, Monsieur Armand! Thank you, I am better; besides, I have grown accustomed to these attacks.” “If I were your friend, your relation, I would say you are killing yourself, and would prevent you from continuing this wretched life.” “Bah! you could not prevent me; but tell me, why are you yourself so pale?” “I am sorry, perhaps, as I look upon you.” “You are very gentle; you see the others take no notice of me--” “Perhaps--perhaps they do not love you as I do, lady.” “Ah! I forgot, this grand secret love of yours.” “You are laughing at me, lady.” “No, no--no, no--not laughing; I have heard the same declaration so often that I do not laugh at it.” “Ah! well, make some return for it, so take care of your health.” “Take care of my health, my friend! If I did, I should die at once. Bah! I can but live in this feverish life. Truly, good women, with families and friends, may seek quiet and rest, not such as I. The moment we cease to attract, we are alone, and our days then are _so_ long, _so_ long. Did I not keep my bed two months? At the end of the third week my last visitor came to see me!” He again urged her to watch over her herself. She laughingly told him his countenance was too long. When he asked if she had a heart, she said ’twas the only thing left to such as her to throw away. He looked so sad at her jesting, that she grew grave herself, and she said, “So, this passion is real?” He told her he had followed her from place to place, and when she lay ill, inquired each day after her health. “Why did you not ask to see me?” “What right had I to ask?” “Right! Do men stand on ceremony with me? So, you say you love me? Now, let me be your friend, and give you this advice--shake me by the hand, and let us part good friends, and for ever.” “As you will--as you will, good friend, and for ever.” “Ah! you are so far gone as that, my friend! Many men have told me they would not return, but have come back on the morrow.”