Page:Gide - Strait is the Gate.pdf/188

STRAIT IS THE GATE 186

who had been leaning, drooping against me, sat up; she took out of her bodice a tiny packet wrapped up in tissue paper, made as though she meant to give it me, stopped, seemed to hesitate, and, as I looked at her in surprise: “Listen, Jerome,” said she, “this is my amethyst cross that I have here; for the last three evenings I have brought it here because for a long time past I have been wanting to give it you.' "What am I to do with it?" I asked, rather brusquely. “Keep it in memory of me for your daughter.” “What daughter?” I cried, looking at Alissa without understanding her. “Please, listen to me quite calmly; no , don't look at me so; don't look at me; it's already difficult enough for me to speak to you; but I must, I simply must say this. Listen, Jerome; one day you will marry — no, don't answer; don't interrupt, I implore you. I only want you to remember that I loved you very much, and ... a long time ago ... three years ago. I thought that a daughter of yours might one day wear this little cross you liked, in memory of me. Oh! without knowing whose it was . . . and perhaps, too, you might give her ... my name ..." .