d attained true nobility, only to be utterly denied now again!"

Edith found herself unable to utter a word. She watched as Raphael walked toward the writing desk, his eyes fixed on the dim, oppressive night beyond the window.

"Is this my punishment?" he ground his teeth together, the sound gnashing in the air. "Merely because you belong to him, my daring to yearn for your pity is an unforgivable sin in his eyes! And this is how he intends to punish me!"

"Rein in yourself, Raphael!" She felt that he was indulging himself in a path leading to a lamentable conclusion. From behind, she took hold of the young man''s icy hand.

"Come away with me, Edith! I beg of you!" He suddenly turned around, gripping her hand tightly.

"What?" she gazed at him, stunned.

Raphael grew more and more agitated, almost gasping for breath as he spoke, "Can''t you see it yet? That Quenet you love and his fellows have sold their souls to Belial! Their greed for blood knows no bounds. He will eventually kill us, kill you, and ultimately, kill himself!"

"Enough, Raphael! Stop these wild thoughts," she shivered, interrupting the youth in haste, turning away from him, her voice striving to sound calm. "I''ll stay behind to take care of Charlene for you. You can go to Caen without worries. Danton...they will regain their innocence, and the three of us will soon reunite!"

"There won''t be such a day. There won''t. Today, once I leave, it will be farewell forever! I know it in my heart! Edith, ah, Edith!"

He collapsed into the chair, one h