We must hope for the best. There is no
immediate cause for fear.... But, by the way, she looks as if she suffered
from sleeplessness.'
'Yes, she does; but she has been ordered chloral. Any harm in that?'
'In her case, it is a necessity; but do you think she takes it?'
'Oh yes, she has been taking choral.'
The conversation paused; the doctor went over to the writing-table, wrote a
prescription, made a few remarks, and took his leave, announcing his
intention of returning that day fortnight.
Hubert said, and his tone implied reference to some anterior conversation,
'We are powerless in this matter. You see we can do nothing. We only
succeed in making ourselves unhappy; we do not change in anything. I am
wretchedly unhappy!'
'Believe me,' she said, raising her arms in a beautiful feminine movement,
'I do not wish to make you unhappy.'
'Then why do you persist? Why do you refuse to take the only step that may
lead us out of this difficulty?'
'How can you ask me? Oh, Hubert, I did not think you could be so cruel! It
would be a shameful action.'
It was the first time she had used his Christian name, and his face changed
expression.
'I cannot,' she said, 'and I will not, and I do not understand how you can
ask me--you who are so loyal, how can you ask me to be disloyal?'
'Spare me your reproaches.
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