"Because my face interests you, you are fascinated! Come, admit the truth," she said, with a plain straightforwardness that somewhat took me aback. "Yes," I said. "That's the truth. I freely admit it." She laughed a light, merry, tantalising laugh, as if ridiculing such an idea. Her face at that instant seemed more attractive than ever it appeared before; her smiling lips, half-parted, seemed pouted, inviting me to kiss them. "Why should a man be attracted by a woman's face?" she argued, growing suddenly serious again. "He should judge her by her manner, her thoughts, her womanly feeling, and her absence of that masculine affectation which in these days so deforms the feminine character." "But beauty is one of woman's most charming attributes," I ventured to remark. "Are not things that are most beautiful the most deadly?" "Certainly, some are," I admitted. "Then for aught you know the influence I can exert upon you may be of the most evil kind," she suggested. "No, no!" I hastened to protest. "I'll never believe that--never! I wish for no greater pleasure than that you should remain my friend." She was silent for some time, gazing slowly around the room. Her breast heaved and fell, as if overcome by some flood of emotion which she strove to suppress. Then, turning again to me, she said-- "I have forewarned you." "Of what?" "That if we remain friends it can result in nothing but evil." I was puzzled. She spoke so strangely, and I, sitting there fascinated by her marvellous beauty, gazed full at her in silence. "You speak in enigmas," I exclaimed. "You have only to choose for yourself." "Your words are those of one who fears some terrible catastrophe," I said. "I don't really understand." "Ah! you cannot. It's impossible!" she answered in a low, hollow voice, all life having left her face. She was sitting in the armchair, leaning forward slightly, with her face still beautiful, but white and haggard. "If I could explain, then you might find some means to escape, but I dare not tell you. Chance has thrown us together--an evil chance--and you admire me; you think perhaps that you could love me, you--" "I do love you, Aline!" I burst forth with an impetuosity which was beyond my control, and springing to my feet I caught her hand and pressed it to my lips.