"But promise me one thing: pas de zele! If Mr.Acton should ask you to plead his cause, excuse yourself." "I shall certainly have the excuse," said Felix, "that I have a cause of my own to plead." "If he should talk of me--favorably," Eugenia continued, "warn him against dangerous illusions.

I detest importunities; I want to decide at my leisure, with my eyes open." "I shall be discreet," said Felix, "except to you.

To you I will say, Accept him outright." She had advanced to the open door-way, and she stood looking at him.

"I will go and dress and think of it," she said; and he heard her moving slowly to her apartments.
Late in the afternoon the rain stopped, and just afterwards there was a great flaming, flickering, trickling sunset.

Felix sat in his painting-room and did some work; but at last, as the light, which had not been brilliant, began to fade, he laid down his brushes and came out to the little piazza of the cottage.