Sealed Lips — page 155: what you’re looking at

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

SEALED LIPS. 147 one that suggested this ignoble suspicion. It would be less hard to bear.” Godefroid turned away his eyes, ashamed of him- self, but muttering between his teeth with an angry look. The young man drew near him, and placing his hand upon his shoulder, he sighed: “Oh, my friend! how unhappy we are. Our friendship, our esteem, our confidence, which is almost as old as we are, totters and almost threat- ens to crumble away. Why? because a woman has glanced at us and the folds of her dress have rustied between us. This woman is the most noble and loyal of creatures. I love her more than anything else in this world. But I never have thought of dis- puting for her with you. How would it be if I were your rival? Listen! the future is greater than we. But before we penetrate into the unknown by two entirely different routes, we must take care to leave behind us no doubt as to the great affection that has existed between us for so long atime. Weare coing to part, to meet again, I hope, but if it should be otherwise, if one of us should die suddenly, we must not add to the sorrow at the loss of a friend, you, remorse, for having misjudged me, and I, grief, at having submitted to such injustice. Listen—if you die before I do your wife shall never become mine. Receive my solemn oath, and may it take away all suffering from you. Now, you will be- lieve, will you not, that I am not speculating upon your death or fortune?” GOmiGcbooks (E(0)