During the months that we were in daily intercourse he endeared himself to me by a hundred kindnesses, a thousand tokens of what I hope was affection." Madame nodded briefly, and I hastened on with my narrative, for suspense is the keenest arrow in the quiver of human suffering.
"What I have learnt has been gathered with the greatest care from many sources, and what I now tell you is neither known nor suspected by any other on earth.

If you so desire, the knowledge can well remain the property of two persons only." "My friend," Madame said on the impulse of the kindest heart in the world, "I think your strength lies in the depth of your thought for others." "The Vicomte was tempted," I went on.

"He had in his nature a latent love of money.

The same is in many natures, but the majority have never the opportunity of gratifying it.

He did what ninety-nine out of a hundred other men would have done--what I think I should have done myself.