"And since you have known the trade he was plying, you have not ceased to love him!--I understand that. I understand all that love can lead one to do. Under the sway of that passion, is it possible to reason, to reflect?--And then, this man must be very brave; the reputation he has made for himself, the very terror inseparable from his name--yes, there is something in all that which almost makes one forget his crimes." "Oh! if you knew, madame, how earnestly I have begged, implored him to renounce his pursuit! And he promised to do it.--'Only a few months more,' he said, 'and we will return to Italy, and no one will recognize in me the dreaded bandit.'--But, alas! it is more than a year since he told me that, and I have not met him since." "But he has not been arrested, as Joseph said.--Another servant, whom I sent out to make inquiries, has just returned and told me that they made a mistake, that the man who was arrested was not the famous robber." "That is true, madame. Thank heaven, my fears were unfounded! Ah! if you knew what a feeling of despair took possession of me!" "Do you think that I did not see it, poor girl? Do you think that I was not struck by your pallor, by your confusion, by that grief-stricken cry which you uttered, when Joseph said: 'Giovanni is arrested'?--It was that that revealed your secret to me. Luckily, the servants saw nothing but curiosity in your precipitate exit--nothing but the desire to see a man who spreads terror throughout Paris.--Now that you know that he is not arrested, you are calmer and happier. In future be more prudent; be careful not to betray yourself." "Oh! you are right, madame; I will try to conceal my feelings." "But, look you, Miretta--try more earnestly than ever to meet the man you love; and the first time that you see him, remember to tell him this: that I wish to see him and speak with him; that I have need of his services; that he can safely trust me; that I will go, alone with you, to whatever place of rendezvous he may appoint; and that I will reward him generously for what he does for me.--Will you tell him all that, Miretta? Do you promise?" "Yes, madame, I will do whatever you command. But, alas! in order to tell Giovanni this, I must see him; and, as you know, I cannot succeed in that." "Do not despair; you will see your lover again. Chance often serves us better than we serve ourselves, and our wishes are gratified at the moment when we least expect it.--Look at me: since I have been Marquise de Santoval, I have been to all sorts of festivities, balls, and receptions, and yet I have not met the man I seek. He avoids me doubtless, but it is useless; he will be obliged to see me again, for I am determined that he shall.--But I hear the Marquis de Santoval's step!--Go, take this secret door!--It is as well that he should not see you, for you are still perturbed, and he has eyes that read deeper than our faces.--Go." XL A FÊTE AT CAMILLA'S