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wonian whose happiness vou have destroyed. [t is only when Tam dead that vou will leamn what is written on my heart for you.”

“ Antoinette,” the strong man’s voiee flterced, “ Antoinctte, am 1 never, theny to be forgiven ?”

There was a momentary pause. Then the lady held out both her hands. Philippe '

“ My heart ! my soul! thou my life ! thou star of my existence . Is 1t possible that a cloud should have interposcd itsell between thy path and mine?”

He took her in his arms. e pressed her to his breast. M. Berigny turned away. From his attitude it almost scemed as il the soldier - the man of ramrods and of bayonets . - ~wiped away a tear.

“ Philippe ! Take care, or you will derange my hat!”

“ Antoinette ' My beautiful, my own 27

“ Philippe, do you not think you should apologize take care, my friend, orovou certainly will derange my - hat (o the

stranger who has made immortal the face of

the woman who loved you better than her lifte my [riend, take care 't who has made her appear on canvas so niuch more heautiful than she is i hfe?”

“No, Antoinctte, that T will not have. It is impossible. Beauty such as vours 15 ot to he rendered by a painter’s brush 27

“ 11 that be so, all the more reason why

S —————— P———————a—p—— ag=

STR AN

{reasure of

VG NALN L. we should be grateful to o Mro Lovell for cndeavouring the impossible,”

The lady peeped at Mr Lovell with the quaintest malice - her eyes.

“Certainly, Antoinette, there s something i what vou say. Andy after ally itos a charming painting. T osaid, Vietor, when saw it there can be no doubt) as a painting, it is charming - did 1T not say so?” M. Berigny inclined his head. 3With his hand- kerchiof the Vicomte smoothed his mous- tche, He advanced towards Mro Fovell: “AMonsicur, @ Frenchman—-a true French- man scldom errs. On those rare occasions on which he orrs he is always willing, under proper conditions, Lo confess his crror, Monsicur, T perecive that [T have done vou an injustice. For the injustice which 1 have donce you -1 desire to apologize.”

AMr. Lovell smiled, He held out his hand.

“ My dear fellow D There’s nothing for which you need apologize.”

The Vicomte grasped the artist's hand m hoth of his.

Ay dear fiiend D7 he ened.

“Philippe,” whispered the Jady into her hushand’s car, *do vou not think that vou would like Mr.o Lovell and his friend to

fovour us with themr company at luncheon ? 7

The Vicomte scemed to think he would. They lunched together- all the five! not ?

Why

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