A Parisian Romance — page 238: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A PARISIAN ROMANCE. 229 my secret, and if it is a crime to do so, I accept the consequences.” “That is for you to decide,” replied the doctor, very gravely, “but do you think that I can keep silence?” Madame de Targy started; then, rising hastily from her chair, she seized the doctor’s hand, and cried, in eager, terrified tones: “Ah, my friend, I implore you, I beseech you—do not speak. If you do not wish to make me forget all your goodness, if you do not wish to make me curse your friendship which has been so dear to me, let me have my way in this! leave me free to act asI please. I will answer for all! Iwill take all upon myself, I tell you! Besides, she will not kill herself, and you know it well!” It was very difficult for the doctor to resist the pleading of this woman whom he had loved in his youth, and whom, perhaps, after all these years, he loved still. But his duty seemed clear to him, and he answered, gently but fimly: “Tf she does not, her fate will be even a worse one; you condemn her to sink to the level of the lowest of women.” Madame de Targy dropped his hands. - “Tg she not so already?” she exclaimed, bitterly. “Do we know? And, then, there are degrees. Will you be the one to push her on her downward course? What will your conscience say to you?” (EONMMIE NNO KS (€©) im