Now for an explanation with Aurore! Now to give vent to the dire
passion of jealousy--to relieve my heart with recriminations--with the
bitter-sweet vengeance of reproach!
I could stifle the foul emotion no longer--no longer conceal it. It
must have expression in words.
I had purposely remained standing with my face averted from her, till
D'Hauteville was gone out of sight. Longer, too. I was endeavouring to
still the wild throbbings of my breast--to affect the calmness of
indifference. Vain hypocrisy! To her eyes my spite must have been
patent, for in this the keen instincts of woman are not to be baffled.
It was even so. She comprehended all. Hence the wild act--the
_abandon_ to which at that moment she gave way.
I was turning to carry out my design, when I felt the soft pressure of
her body against mine--her arms encircled my neck--her head, with face
upturned, rested upon my bosom, and her large lustrous eyes sought mine
with a look of melting inquiry.
That look should have satisfied me. Surely no eyes but the eyes of love
could have borne such expression?