She looked fixedly at him a moment without catching the eyes he kept turned from her.

Her head drooped heavily; then raising it suddenly, she said: "There are sentiments men can not understand.

In my bitter hours I have often dreamed of this free life you now advise; but I have always recoiled before one thought--only one." "And that ?" "Perhaps the sentiment is not peculiar to me--perhaps it is excessive pride, but I have a great regard for myself--my person is sacred to me.
Should I come to believe in nothing, like you--and I am far from that yet, thank God!--I should even then remain honest and true--faithful to one love, simply from pride.

I should prefer," she added, in a voice deep and sustained, but somewhat strained, "I should prefer to desecrate an altar rather than myself!" Saying these words, she rose, made a haughty movement of the head in sign of an adieu, and left the room..