“Tell me who this man was!” cried the young officer.

Milady saw at a single glance all the painful feelings she inspired in Felton by dwelling on every detail of her recital; but she would not spare him a single pang.  The more profoundly she wounded his heart, the more certainly he would avenge her.  She continued, then, as if she had not heard his exclamation, or as if she thought the moment was not yet come to reply to it.

“Only this time it was no longer an inert body, without feeling, that the villain had to deal with.  I have told you that without being able to regain the complete exercise of my faculties, I retained the sense of my danger.  I struggled, then, with all my strength, and doubtless opposed, weak as I was, a long resistance, for I heard him cry out, ’These miserable Puritans!  I knew very well that they tired out their executioners, but I did not believe them so strong against their lovers!’

“Alas! this desperate resistance could not last long.  I felt my strength fail, and this time it was not my sleep that enabled the coward to prevail, but my swoon.”

Felton listened without uttering any word or sound, except an inward expression of agony.  The sweat streamed down his marble forehead, and his hand, under his coat, tore his breast.

“My first impulse, on coming to myself, was to feel under my pillow for the knife I had not been able to reach; if it had not been useful for defense, it might at least serve for expiation.

“But on taking this knife, Felton, a terrible idea occurred to me.  I have sworn to tell you all, and I will tell you all.  I have promised you the truth; I will tell it, were it to destroy me.”

“The idea came into your mind to avenge yourself on this man, did it not?” cried Felton.

“Yes,” said Milady.  “The idea was not that of a Christian, I knew; but without doubt, that eternal enemy of our souls, that lion roaring constantly around us, breathed it into my mind.  In short, what shall I say to you, Felton?” continued Milady, in the tone of a woman accusing herself of a crime.  “This idea occurred to me, and did not leave me; it is of this homicidal thought that I now bear the punishment.”

“Continue, continue!” said Felton; “I am eager to see you attain your vengeance!”

“Oh, I resolved that it should take place as soon as possible.  I had no doubt he would return the following night.  During the day I had nothing to fear.

“When the hour of breakfast came, therefore, I did not hesitate to eat and drink.  I had determined to make believe sup, but to eat nothing.  I was forced, then, to combat the fast of the evening with the nourishment of the morning.

“Only I concealed a glass of water, which remained after my breakfast, thirst having been the chief of my sufferings when I remained forty-eight hours without eating or drinking.

“The day passed away without having any other influence on me than to strengthen the resolution I had formed; only I took care that my face should not betray the thoughts of my heart, for I had no doubt I was watched.  Several times, even, I felt a smile on my lips.  Felton, I dare not tell you at what idea I smiled; you would hold me in horror—­”