splendid idea! Why had I not hit upon it before? And when morning

came I broached the splendid idea to her, trying my utmost to be natural with her, as she was used to seeing me. And then a pallor rose over her gentle face; she sank onto a couch near her and sat there, her head bowed toward the floor; the ghost of a sad smile passed over her lips, and she began to shake her head as if to say:

This is what I was waiting for. My God — what had come over her, that this mute gloom should seize her? Had she learned what I intended for her? And how had the news reached her? A curse on this town that keeps no secret! I wanted to say something, but the spittle dried in my throat and the words deserted my mind, and I found nothing to say. She sat down on the couch opposite, and a heavy silence settled between us. I reached my hand into my pocket to take out the tobacco case — do we not resort to the cigarette in our nervous moments, to ease our breasts? — and my hand stumbled upon a small velvet box. What a dull fool I am! I had forgotten the ring in my pocket, and a shudder ran through me when I touched it, like a criminal at the sight of the instrument of his crime... She must have seen it and understood everything.

I kept from looking at her, for fear our eyes should meet and she read something in mine. Then I stole a glance at her, and there she was, still in her first posture, like a statue of stone, dignity and pride showing upon her despite the deep sorrow. She had laid one hand upon the other — her hands, exquisitely formed, still soft and fresh, like the hands of the Gioconda — and on her hand the wedding ring had begun to gleam. What a painful memory that ring brought back to me: the day I knelt before her and covered her hands with kisses, then reached into my pocket and drew out this very ring and placed it on her finger; and she pressed my head to her, and I closed my eyes and felt as if I were the happiest man on the

face of the earth. And then her tears fell scattered and warm upon my face. My God — you weep in our happiest hour? She said in a trembling voice: "If you only knew how much I love you, and how much I sacrificed for

your sake when I consented to wear this ring. You know I am older than you, and that I was married before you and bore no children; a day must come when you will tire of me and pull this ring from my hand. What

Drene, the Marvelous Shampoo

Your charm and allure depend on the beauty of your hair

Drene

The Marvelous Shampoo

Preserves the hair's luster — protects the scalp and strengthens the hair

Ensures softness and shine — attracts all eyes

drene shampoo

NEW - THE SHAMPOO THAT SILKENS YOUR HAIR