ued, her tone suppressing strong passion, "I can never tolerate becoming a betrayor in my marriage. I still adhere to my duty as a wife, regulate myself with reason and virtue, and strive to appear happy and dignified. However, every time I gaze into those eyes, my emotions tear apart my heart once again: I dolorously realise that all my disguises are just futile struggles!"
"Madame! Why don''t you confess to Monsieur Roland? I believe, with his kindness and integrity, he will definitely understand you," Edith earnestly shouted.
"Confess to him? I already have. For a woman like me, trapped in the net of love, how could she not grasp the last gleam of hope?" Madame Roland gave a bitter smile, "But I underestimated my husband''s emotions for me - jealousy completely overpowered him. I always treated him like a respected elder, yet never thought of the affection he might harbour for me.
"Even such a platonic love that may be innocuous to a husband, is unbearable for a lover. Everything is over now. I could no more use my sin to deepen that of Roland''s."
"I do not want to see you in such distress! Are you going to torture yourself like this forever?" Edith became anxious on seeing her idol so miserable.
But Madame Roland only shook her head, "I no longer hold out any hope. This marriage and this love, from now on, are nothing but a source of agony for the three of us!"
Edith could not speak anymore. She felt something stuck in her throat.
"But you, my young friend, you still enjoy the most precious youth and freedom," Madame squeezed out a smile and held Edith''s hand tightly, "Bravely pursue and express your love! Do not let yourself regret!"
As soon as she stepped out of Madame Roland''s mansion, the maiden made up her mind bold.
When Andre returned in triumph, she''d be the first to greet him with the most ardent embrace and kisses, showering her beloved with love and bliss.
Her heart bursting with glee, feeling as if she became the heroine in a romantic story.
The wait ahead no longer filled her with fret, for she knew her love would soon be near.
-----------------
A month had passed.
On this day, Edith stood tall on a chair, holding a piece of jour