Oh, love, and not toil, is the curse of man!" "You knew about Burr," Madelon said, in a quiet, agitated voice.
"Why--did you ?" Lot gave a sharp cry, as if he had been wounded anew.

"Oh," he cried, "you are blind, blind, blind--a woman is born blind to love! If I had had the face and the body of him it would have been me you would have turned to, Madelon.

Don't you know?
can't you see?
He has been false to you, he cares no more for you.

But if he had?
In the end it is love and love alone that sweetens life, and what could his love be to mine ?" Madelon turned away again.

"I can't stand here any longer, Lot," she said, and moved towards the door.
But Lot called her piteously: "Madelon, come back! If you have any mercy, come back!" She stood irresolute, frowning; then she went back.