descended. Not so; I reascend. Once more with you! For ever! I tell you

for ever! Together! We are together! Who would have believed it? We have

found each other again. All our troubles are past. Before us now there

is nothing but enchantment. We will renew our happy life, and we will

shut the door so fast that misfortune shall never enter again. I will

tell you all. You will be astonished. The vessel has sailed. No one can

prevent that now. We are on our voyage, and at liberty. We are going to

Holland. We will marry. I have no fear about gaining a livelihood. What

can hinder it? There is nothing to fear. I adore you!"

Not so quick!" stammered Ursus.

Dea, trembling, and with the rapture of an angelic touch, passed her

hand over Gwynplaine's profile. He overheard her say to herself, "It is

thus that gods are made."

Then she touched his clothes.

"The esclavine," she said, "the cape. Nothing changed; all as it was

before."

Ursus, stupefied, delighted, smiling, drowned in tears, looked at them,

and addressed an aside to himself.

"I don't understand it in the least. I am a stupid idiot--I, who saw him

carried to the grave! I cry and I laugh. That is all I know. I am as

great a fool as if I were in love myself. But that is just what I am. I

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The Man Who Laughs