I will yet prove you false ; it will console me for being so duped if I can call you traitor . You said Casimer had fought in Poland . '' `` Crudest of women , he did , but under his own name , Sidney Power . '' `` Then , he was not the brave Stanislas ? -- and there is no charming Casimer ? '' `` Yes , there are both , -- his and my friends , in Paris ; true Poles , and when we go there you shall see them . '' `` But his illness was a ruse ? '' `` No ; he was wounded in the war and has been ill since . Not of a fatal malady , I own ; his cough misled you , and he has no scruples in fabling to any extent . I am not to bear the burden of his sins . '' `` Then , the romances he told us about your charity , your virtues , and -- your love of liberty were false ? '' said Helen , with a keen glance , for these tales had done much to interest her in the unknown baron . Sudden color rose to his forehead , and for the first time his eyes fell before hers , -- not in shame , but with a modest man 's annoyance at hearing himself praised . `` Sidney is enthusiastic in his friendship , and speaks too well for me . The facts are true , but he doubtless glorified the simplest by his way of telling it . Will you forgive my follies , and believe me when I promise to play and duel no more ? '' `` Yes . '' She yielded her hand now , and her eyes were full of happiness , yet she added , wistfully , -- `` And the betrothed , your cousin , Minna , -- is she , in truth , not dear to you ? '' `` Very dear , but less so than another ; for I could not learn of her in years what I learned in a day when I met you . Helen , this was begun in jest , -- it ends in solemn earnest , for I love my liberty , and I have lost it , utterly and forever .
Yet I XXXXX glad ; look in my face and tell me you believe it . ''
am betrothed console forgive hearing learned love own prove speaks