"But I was afraid, however," I said, "that that sudden jolt in the carriage and the surprising consequences may have frightened you." "Oh, I am not so easily alarmed!" "I fear it has left a little cloud on your mind?" "What must I do to reassure you?" "Give me the kiss here which chance--" "I will gladly do so; for if I do not, your vanity will lead you to think that I fear you." I took the kiss. It is with kisses as with confidences, the first leads to another. They are multiplied, they interrupt conversation, they take its place; they scarce leave time for a sigh to escape. Silence followed. We could hear it, for silence may be heard. We rose without a word and began to walk again. "We must go in," said she, "for the air of the river is icy, and it is not worth while--" "I think to go in would be more dangerous," I answered. "Perhaps so! Never mind, we will go in." "Why, is this out of consideration for me? You wish doubtless to save me from the impressions which I may receive from such a walk as this --the consequences which may result. Is it for me--for me only--?" "You are modest," she said smiling, "and you credit me with singular consideration." "Do you think so? Well, since you take it in this way, we will go in; I demand it." A stupid proposition, when made by two people who are forcing themselves to say something utterly different from what they think. Then she compelled me to take the path that led back to the chateau. I do not know, at least I did not then know, whether this course was one which she forced upon herself, whether it was the result of a vigorous resolution, or whether she shared my disappointment in seeing an incident which had begun so well thus suddenly brought to a close but by a mutual instinct our steps slackened and we pursued our way gloomily dissatisfied the one with the other and with ourselves. We knew not the why and the wherefore of what we were doing. Neither of us had the right to demand or even to ask anything. We had neither of us any ground for uttering a reproach. O that we had got up a quarrel! But how could I pick one with her? Meanwhile we drew nearer and nearer, thinking how we might evade the duty which we had so awkwardly imposed upon ourselves. We reached the door, when Madame de T----- said to me: "I am angry with you! After the confidences I have given you, not to give me a single one! You have not said a word about the countess. And yet it is so delightful to speak of the one we love! I should have listened with such interest! It was the very best I could do after I had taken you away from her!" "Cannot I reproach you with the same thing?" I said, interrupting her, "and if instead of making me a witness to this singular reconciliation in which I play so odd a part, you had spoken to me of the marquis--"