LOUISE DE LA VALLIEKE. 401 "Louise!" he cried, in a tone of such utter despair that one could hardly have thought that the human voice were capable of so desponding a cry without some fibers of the human heart snapping. OHAPTEE LXI. WOUNDS UPON WOUNDS. Mlle. DE LA Valliere — for it was indeea she — advanced a few steps toward him. "Yes — Louise," she murmured. But this interval, short as it had been, was quite sufficient for Raoul to recover himself. "You, mademoiselle!" he said; and then added, in an indefinable tone, "You here!" "Yes, Raoul," the young girl replied; "I have been waiting for you." "I beg your pardon. When I came into the room, I was not aware " "I know; but I entreated Olivian not to tell you — • — " She hesitated; and as Raoul did not attempt to interrupt her, a moment's silence ensued, during which the sound of their throbbing hearts might have been heard, not in unison with each other, but the one beating as violently as the other. It was for Louise to speak, and she made an effort to do so. "I wished to speak to you," she said. "It was absolutely necessary that I should see you — myself — alone. I have not hesitated adopting a step which must remain secret; for no one, except yourself, could understand my motive. Monsieur de Bragelonne." "In fact, mademoiselle," Raoul stammered out, almost breathless from emotion, "as far as I am concerned, and despite the good opinion you have of me, I confess " "Will you do me the great kindness to sit down and listen to me?" said Louise, interrupting him with her soft, sweet voice. De Bragelonne looked at her for a moment; then, mourn- fully shaking his head, he sat, or rather, fell down on a chair. "Speak," he said. She cast a glance all round her. This look was a timid entreaty, and implored secrecy far more effectually than her
