"
"Presumably because I sometimes betray intelligence. And what of
yourself, Aline? What of your own attitude from the outset where
M. de La Tour d'Azyr is concerned? Does that show heart? If I
were to tell you what it really shows, we should end by
quarrelling again, and God knows I can't afford to quarrel with
you now. I... I shall take another way."
"What do you mean?"
"Why, nothing at the moment, for you are not in any danger of
marrying that animal."
"And if I were?"
"Ah! In that case affection for you would discover to me some
means of preventing it - unless..." He paused.
"Unless?" she demanded, challengingly, drawn to the full of her
sort height, her eyes imperious.
"Unless you could also tell me that you loved him," said he simply,
whereat she was as suddenly and most oddly softened. And then he
added, shaking his head: "But that of course is impossible."
"Why?" she asked him, quite gently now.
"Because you are what you are, Aline - utterly good and pure and
adorable. Angels do not mate with devils.
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