n loved in return, and have suddenly seen an impassable gulf open betw

l his future plans, were based

castle which hope had erected would cru

though at first, his appointed meeting with Marie-Anne on the following day seemed salvation itself, on reflection he was forced to

came; he took his seat at the table, but it was impossible for him to sw

ged a sorrowful glance, but did not a

is was one of those sorrows which are only

d, as her husband made no reply: "Perhaps," she added, hesitatingly, "perhaps it w

ned only too well the terrib

kly; "I heard Marie-Anne promise to meet Ma

or at the thought that her son might, perhaps, be contemplating suicide

nd looked in. He was so engrossed in his gloomy revery that he had heard nothing, an

resting upon the sill, his head supported

g that indicated the course of the Oiselle one could discern the imposin

at this chateau, which sheltered what was dea

occupied by Marie-Anne; and his heart always qui

s kneeling to say her prayers. She murmurs my name after

ting for a light to gleam throu

ger at Sairmeuse-she

any home except a poor thatch-covered hovel, whose walls were not even whitewashed, whose only

lf the humble abode she, in her charitable heart, h

ng now? Doubtles

poor Maurice w

e after midnight, to see the c

, they made a tour of inspection through this magnificent abode in which their ancestors had lived. They, therefore, might be said to hav

from casement to casement, until at last even t

appy youth could not

r this virgin bower, which he, even in

ir insolent familiarity, might venture upon. He fancied he could see them examining and handling the thousand petty trifles with which you

artial supposed he could hate

inder of the night in thinking over what he should say to Marie-Anne on

r the hour that would decide his fate. Mme. d'Escorval was obliged to exert all her authority to make

lock sounded he

s destination, was obliged to cross the river at a ferry only a short distance from his ho

e Maurice. They were talkin

only last evening. He was wild with delight. 'I invite you all to the wedding!' h

y stunned Maurice. He was actu

s when he met her-coals of fire were nothing to them. But while her father was so rich he did not dare t

ng for him," remark

y s

heneur is ruined

s laughed

s together. Do you suppose that he has been stupid enough not to have laid anything aside duri

ed Maurice, indignantly. "Monsieur Lachene

could obtain only vague and unsatisfactory answers. A peasant, when interrogated, will never give a

sed Maurice to hasten on still more

eau!" he repeated; "it is i