When she did so, and had retired again,
Vandeloup placed his letter in Madame's hand, and asked her to read
it.
'Oh, no, Monsieur,' said Mrs Villiers, offering it back, 'I do not
wish to read your private correspondence.'
Vandeloup had calculated on this, for, as a matter of fact, there
was a good deal of private matter in the letter, particularly
referring to his trip to New Caledonia, which he would not have
allowed her to see. But he knew it would inspire her with confidence
in him if he placed it wholly in her hands, and resolved to boldly
venture to do so. The result was as he guessed; so, with a smile, he
took it back again.
'There is nothing private in it, Madame,' he said, opening the
letter; 'I wanted you to see that I had not misrepresented myself--
it is from my family lawyer, and he has sent me out a remittance of
money, also some letters of introduction to my consul in Melbourne
and others; in fact,' said M. Vandeloup, with a charming smile,
putting the letter in his pocket, 'it places me in my rightful
position, and I shall assume it as soon as I have your permission.'
'But why my permission ?' asked Madame, with a faint smile, already
regretting bitterly that she was going to lose her pleasant
companion.
'Madame,' said Vandeloup, impressively, bending forward, 'in the
words of the Bible--when I was hungry you gave me food; when I was
naked you gave me raiment.
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