George knew also that the Duke was away at his training establishment, and he therefore opened the door, and walked boldly up the main staircase, so that when the Duchess, with the lighted candle in her hand, came to the top steps she found herself face to face with George de Croisenois, pallid with emotion and quivering with excitement.
At the sight of the man she loved she started backwards with a low cry of anguish and despair.
"Fly!" she said "fly, or we are lost!" He did not, however, seem to hear her, and the Duchess recoiled slowly, step by step, through the open door of her chamber, across the carpeted floor, until she reached the opposite wall of her room, and could go no farther.
George followed her, and pushed to the door of the room as he entered it.

This brief delay, however, had sufficed to restore Marie to the full possession of her senses.

"If I permit him to speak," thought she,--"if he once suspects that my love for him is still as strong as ever, I am lost." Then she said aloud,-- "You must leave this house, and that instantly.

I was mad when I said what I did yesterday.

You are too noble and too generous not to listen to me when I tell you that the moment of infatuation is over, and that all my reason has returned to me, and my openness will convince you of the truth of what I say--George de Croisenois, I love you." The young man uttered an exclamation of delight upon hearing this news.
"Yes," continued Marie, "I would give half the years of my remaining life to be your wife.