But, in his present state of mind, Auguste's words sounded to him like a brutal translation of his own thoughts, condemning him for his cowardice in submitting to his humiliating position, and he recognized more clearly than ever that he must fight his way out of this degradation.
It was not easy to carry out this resolve.

When Pilar came to his room and took his arm to lead him down to lunch, she was as bewitching and fond as ever.

At table she chattered brightly about an exhibition of pictures in the Cercle des Mirlitons, which she wanted to see with him that afternoon, asked him about the work he had done to-day, and if he had given a thought to her now and then between his crusty old books, and altogether gave evidence of such childlike and implicit confidence in his love and faith, such utter absence of suspicion as to possible rocks ahead, that that which he had it in his mind to do seemed almost like a stab in the dark.

His mental suffering was so poignant as to be visibly reflected in his countenance, and Pilar interrupted her lively flow of talk to ask anxiously: "What is the matter with you to-day, darling?
Don't you feel well ?" He took his courage in both hands, and answered with another question: "Tell me, Pilar, did you really trump up a story about me?
That I was a celebrated doctor and member of Parliament, and the future President of the German Republic ?" She flashed, but tried to laugh off her embarrassment.

"Oh, it was only a harmless little romance to amuse myself.