The excerpt represents the core issue or deciding factor on which you must meditate, and is drawn from The Secrets of the Princesse de Cadignan by Honore de Balzac: anxiety. The result of this experiment, which Diane had herself
brought about, might be fatal to her. For the first time in her life
this woman suffered in her heart. She knew not what she should do in
case d'Arthez believed the world which spoke the truth, instead of
believing her who lied; for never had so noble a nature, so complete a
man, a soul so pure, a conscience so ingenuous come beneath her hand.
Though she had told him cruel lies she was driven to do so by the
desire of knowing a true love. That love--she felt it dawning in her
heart; yes, she loved d'Arthez; and now she was condemned forever to
deceive him! She must henceforth remain to him the actress who had
played that comedy to blind his eyes.
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