CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Frightening Her

Julien ran down to Mathilde. The only word she said to him was, "Promises!"

I must not speak to her, he thought. I can still lose everything. When he returned home, he calmed down. He compared himself to a general who has half won a battle. I have an advantage, he thought, but what will I do tomorrow? As he thought about this, he read from a book by Napoleon. This heart is very different from Mrs de Rênal's, he thought.

Frighten her! He thought suddenly. The enemy will obey me as long as she is afraid! She must doubt my love for her.

He knew she would go to the library at eight o'clock, so he didn't arrive until nine. He burned with love, but his mind was in control.

"Dishonor me," she said plainly. "We'll go to London. I'll be dishonored. That will be my promise to you."

Julien was surprised. He replied, "And after you're dishonored, will you still love me in a week? I'm not a monster. I don't want to see you dishonored." If she would love me for a week, he thought, I'd die of happiness!

"I'm not worthy of you," she said.

Julien kissed her. Immediately he pulled away.

That day and the following days he hid his love, but he became surer of her love.

(end of section)