L'Abbe Constantin — Volume 3 by Halevy, Ludovic, 1834-1908

8/14/2019 L'Abbe Constantin Volume 3 by Halevy, Ludovic, 1834-1908

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THEABBECONSTANTIN

ByLUDOVICHALEVY

BOOK3.

CHAPTERVII

CONFIDENCES

Thenextmorning,onreturningfromdrill,JeanfoundPauldeLavardenswaitingforhimatthebarracks;hescarcelyallowedhimtimetodismount,andthemomenthehadhimalone:

"Quick,"saidhe,"describeyour,dinner-partyofyesterday.Isawthemmyselfinthemorning;thelittleonewasdrivingfourponies,andwithanamountofaudacity!Ibowedtothem;didtheymentionme?Didtheyrecognizeme?WhenwillyoutakemetoLongueval?Answerme."

"Answer?Yes.Butwhichquestionfirst?"

"Thelast."

"WhenshallItakeyoutoLongueval?"

"Yes."

"Well,intendays;theydon'twanttoseeanyonejustnow."

"ThenyouarenotgoingbacktoLonguevalfortendays?"


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"Oh,Ishallgobackto-dayatfouro'clock.ButIdon'tcount,youknow.JeanReynaud,theCure'sgodson.ThatiswhyIhavepenetratedsoeasilyintotheconfidenceofthesetwocharmingwomen.IhavepresentedmyselfunderthepatronageandwiththeguaranteeoftheChurch.AndthentheyhavediscoveredthatIcouldrenderthemlittleservices.Iknowthecountryverywell,andtheywillmakeuseofmeasaguide.Inaword,Iamnobody;whileyou,CountPauldeLavardens,youaresomebody;sofearnothing,yourturnwillcomewiththefetesandballs.Thenyouwillberesplendentinallyourglory,andIshallreturnveryhumblyintomyobscurity."

"Youmaylaughatmeasmuchasyoulike;itisnonethelesstruethatduringthosetendaysyouwillstealamarchuponme--uponme!"

"Howuponyou?"

"Now,Jean,doyouwanttomakemebelievethatyouarenotalreadyinlovewithoneofthesetwowomen?Isitpossible?Somuchbeauty,somuchluxury.Luxurytothatdegreeupsetsme.Thoseblackponieswiththeirwhiterosettes!Idreamedofthemlastnight,andthatlittle-Bettina,isitnot?"

"Yes,Bettina."

"Bettina--CountessBettinadeLavardens!Doesn'tthatsoundwellenough!andwhataperfecthusbandshewouldhaveinme!Tobethehusbandofawomanpossessingboundlesswealth,thatismydestiny.Itisnotsoeasyasonemaysuppose.Ihavealreadyrunthroughsomething,and--ifmymotherhadnotstoppedme!butIamquitereadytobeginagain.Oh,howhappythatgirlwouldbewithme!Iwouldcreatearoundhertheexistenceofafairyqueen.Inallherluxuryshewouldfeelthetaste,theart,andtheskillofherhusband.Iwouldpassmylifeinadoringher,indisplayingherbeauty,inpettingher,inbearinghertriumphantthroughtheworld.Iwouldstudyherbeautyinordertogiveittheframethatbestsuitedit.'Ifhewerenotthere,'shewouldsay,'Ishouldnotbesobeautiful,sodazzling.'Ishouldknownotonlyhowtoloveher,buthowtoamuseher.Shewouldhavesomethingforhermoney,

shewouldhaveloveandpleasure.Come,Jean,doagoodaction,takemetoMrs.Scott'sto-day."

"Icannot,Iassureyou."

"Well,then,intendays;butIgiveyoufairnotice,IshallinstallmyselfatLongueval,andshallnotmove.Inthefirstplaceitwouldpleasemymother;sheisstillalittleprejudicedagainsttheAmericans.Shesaysthatsheshallarrangenottoseethem,butIknowmymother.Someday,whenIshallgohomeintheeveningandtellher:'Mother,Ihavewonthe-heartofacharminglittlepersonwhoisburdenedwithacapitaloftwentymillions--theyexaggeratewhentheytalkofhundredsofmillions.Youknowthesearethecorrectfigures,andtheyareenough

forme.Thatevening,then,mymotherwillbedelighted,because,inherheart,whatisitshedesiresforme?Whatallgoodmothersdesirefortheirsons--agoodmarriage,oradiscreetliaisonwithsomeoneinsociety.AtLonguevalIfindthesetwoessentials,andIwillaccommodatemyselfverywillinglytoeither.Youwillhavethekindnesstowarnmeintendays--youwillletmeknowwhichofthetwoyouabandontome,Mrs.ScottorMissPercival?"

"Youaremad,youarequitemad!Idonot,Inevershallthink--"


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"Listen,Jean.Youarewisdompersonified;youmaysayanddoasyoulike,butrememberwhatIsaytoyou,Jean,youwillfallinloveinthathouse."

"Idonotbelieveit,"repliedJean,laughing.

"ButIamabsolutelysureofit.Good-by.Ileaveyoutoyourduties."

ThatmorningJeanwasperfectlysincere.Hehadsleptverywellthepreviousnight;thesecondinterviewwiththetwosistershad,asifbyenchantment,dissipatedtheslighttroublewhichhadagitatedhissoulafterthefirstmeeting.Hepreparedtomeetthemagainwithmuchpleasure,butalsowithmuchtranquillity;therewastoomuchmoneyinthathousetopermittheloveofapoordevillikeJeantofindplacehonestlythere.

Friendshipwasanotheraffair;withallhishearthewished,andwithallhisstrengthhesought,toestablishhimselfpeacefullyintheesteemandregardofthesisters.HewouldtrynottoremarktoomuchthebeautyofSusieandBettina;hewouldtrynottoforgethimselfashehaddonethepreviousevening,inthecontemplationofthefourlittlefeetrestingontheirfootstools.Theyhadsaid,veryfrankly,verycordially,tohim:"Youshallbeourfriend."Thatwasallhedesired--tobetheirfriend--andthathewouldbe.

Duringthetendaysthatfollowed,allconducedtothesuccessofthisenterprise.Susie,Bettina,theCure,andJeanledthesamelifeintheclosestandmostcordialintimacy.

Jeandidnotseektoanalyzehisfeelings.Hefeltforthesetwowomenanequalaffection;hewasperfectlyhappy,perfectlytranquil.Thenhewasnotinlove,forloveandtranquillityseldomdwellatpeaceinthesameheart.

Jean,however,sawapproach,withalittleanxietyandsadness,thedaywhichwouldbringtoLonguevaltheTurners,andtheNortons,andthewholeforceoftheAmericancolony.Thedaycametoosoon.

OnFriday,the24thofJune,atfouro'clock,Jeanarrivedatthecastle.Bettinareceivedhimalone,lookingquitevexed.

"Howannoyingitis,"saidshe,"mysisterisnotwell;alittleheadache,nothingofconsequence,itwillbegonebytomorrow;butIdarenotridewithyoualone.InAmericaImight;buthere,itwouldnotdo,wouldit?"

"Certainlynot,"repliedJean.

"Imustsendyouback,andIamsosorry."

"AndsoamI--Iamverysorrytobeobligedtogo,andtolosethislastday,whichIhadhopedtopasswithyou.However,sinceitmustbe,Iwillcometomorrowtoinquireafteryoursister."

"Shewillseeyouherself,to-morrow;Irepeatitisnothingserious.Butdonotrunawayinsuchahurry,pray;willyounotsparemealittlequarterofanhour'sconversation?Iwanttospeaktoyou;sitdownthere,andnowlistentomewell.MysisterandIhadintendedthisevening,afterdinner,toblockadeyouintoalittlecornerofthedrawing-room,andthenshemeanttotellyouwhatIamgoingtotryto


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sayforusboth."

"ButIamalittlenervous.Donotlaugh;itisaveryseriousmatter.Wewishtothankyouforhavingbeen,eversinceourarrivalhere,sogoodtousboth."

"Oh,MissPercival,pray,itisIwho--"

"Oh,donotinterruptme,youwillquiteconfuseme.Idonotknowhowtogetthroughwithit.Imaintain,besides,thatthethanksareduefromus,notfromyou.Wearrivedheretwostrangers.Wehavebeenfortunateenoughimmediatelytofindfriends.Yes,friends.Youhavetakenusbythehand,youhaveledustoourfarmers,toourkeepers;whileyourgodfathertookustohispoor--andeverywhereyouweresomuchbelovedthatfromtheirconfidenceinyou,theybegan,onyourrecommendation,tolikeusalittle.Youareadoredabouthere;doyouknowthat?"

"Iwasbornhere--allthesegoodpeoplehaveknownmefrommyinfancy,andaregratefultomeforwhatmygrandfatherandfatherdidforthem;andthenIamoftheirrace,theraceofthepeasants;mygreat-grandfatherwasalaboreratBargecourt,avillagetwomilesfromhere."

"Oh!oh!youappearveryproudofthat!"

"Neitherproudnorashamed."

"Ibegyourpardon,youmadealittlemovementofpride.Well,Icantellyouthatmymother'sgreat-grandfatherwasafarmerinBrittany.HewenttoCanadaattheendofthelastcentury,whenCanadawasstillFrench.Andyouloveverymuchthisplacewhereyouwereborn?"

"Verymuch.PerhapsIshallsoonbeobligedtoleaveit."

"Why?"

"WhenIgetpromotion,Ishallhavetoexchangeintoanotherregiment,

andIshallwanderfromgarrisontogarrison;butcertainly,whenIamanoldcommandantoroldcolonel,onhalf-pay,Ishallcomeback,andliveanddiehere,inthelittlehousethatwasmyfather's."

"Alwaysquitealone?"

"Whyquitealone?Icertainlyhopenot."

"Youintendtomarry?"

"Yes,certainly."

"Youaretryingtomarry?"

"No;onemaythinkofmarrying,butoneoughtnottotrytomarry."

"Andyettherearepeoplewhodotry.Come,Icananswerforthat,andyoueven;peoplehavewishedtomarryyou."

"Howdoyouknowthat?"

"Oh!Iknowallyourlittleaffairssowell;youarewhattheycallagoodmatch,andIrepeatit,theyhavewishedtomarryyou."


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"Whotoldyouthat?"

"MonsieurleCure."

"Thenhewasverywrong,"saidJean,withacertainsharpness.

"No,no,hewasnotwrong.IfanyonehasbeentoblameitisI.Isoondiscoveredthatyourgodfatherwasneversohappyaswhenhewasspeakingofyou.SowhenIwasalonewithhimduringourwalks,topleasehimItalkedofyou,andherelatedyourhistorytome.Youarewelloff;youareverywelloff;fromGovernmentyoureceiveeverymonthtwohundredandthirteenfrancsandsomecentimes;amIcorrect?"

"Yes,"saidJean,decidingtobearwithagoodgracehisshareintheCure'sindiscretions.

"Youhaveeightthousandfrancs'income?"

"Nearly,notquite."

"Addtothatyourhouse,whichisworththirtythousandfrancs.Youareinanexcellentposition,andpeoplehaveaskedyourhand."

"Askedmyhand!No,no."

"Theyhave,theyhave,twice,andyouhaverefusedtwoverygoodmarriages,twoverygoodfortunes,ifyoupreferit--itisthesamethingforsomanypeople.Twohundredthousandfrancsintheone,threehundredthousandintheothercase.Itappearsthatthesefortunesareenormousforthecountry!Yetyouhaverefused!Tellmewhy."

"Well,itconcernedtwocharmingyounggirls."

"Thatisunderstood.Onealwayssaysthat."

"ButwhomIscarcelyknew.Theyforcedme--forIdidresist--theyforced

metospendtwoorthreeeveningswiththemlastwinter."

"Andthen?"

"Then--Idon'tquiteknowhowtoexplainittoyou.Ididnotfeeltheslightesttouchofembarrassment,emotion,anxiety,ordisturbance--"

"Infact,"saidBettina,resolutely,"nottheleastsuspicionoflove."

"No,nottheleast,andIreturnedquitecalmlytomybachelorden,forIthinkitisbetternottomarrythantomarrywithoutlove."

"AndIthinkso,too."

Shelookedathim,helookedather,andsuddenly,tothegreatsurpriseofboth,theyfoundnothingmoretosay,nothingatall.

AtthismomentHarryandBellarushedintotheroom,withcriesofjoy.

"MonsieurJean!Areyouthere?Comeandseeourponies!"

"Ah!"saidBettina,hervoicealittleuncertain,"EdwardshasjustcomebackfromParis,andhasbroughttwomicroscopicponiesforthechildren.


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Letusgotoseethem,shallwe?"

Theywenttoseetheponies,whichwereindeedworthytofigureinthestablesoftheKingofLilliput.

CHAPTERVIII

ANOTHERMARTYRTOMILLIONS

Threeweekshaveglidedby;anotherdayandJeanwillbeobligedtoleavewithhisregimentfortheartillerypractice.Hewillleadthelifeofasoldier.Tendays'marchonthehighroadgoingandreturning,andtendaysinthecampatCercottesintheforestofOrleans.TheregimentwillreturntoSouvignyonthe10thofAugust.

Jeanisnolongertranquil;Jeanisnolongerhappy.Heseesapproachwithimpatience,andatthesametimewithterror,themomentofhisdeparture.Withimpatience--forhesuffersanabsolutemartyrdom,helongstoescapefromit;withterror--fortopasstwentydayswithoutseeingher,withoutspeakingtoher,withoutherinaword--whatwillbecomeofhim?Her!ItisBettina;headoresher!

Sincewhen?Sincethefirstday,sincethatmeetinginthemonthofMayintheCure'sgarden.Thatisthetruth;butJeanstrugglesagainstandresiststhattruth.HebelievesthathehasonlylovedBettinasincethedaywhenthetwochattedgayly,amicably,inthelittledrawing-room.Shewassittingonthebluecouchnearthewidow,and,whiletalking,amusedherselfwithrepairingthedisorderofthedressofaJapaneseprincess,oneofBella'sdolls,whichshehadleftonachair,andwhichBettinahadmechanicallytakenup.

WhyhadthefancycometoMissPercivaltotalktohimofthosetwoyounggirlswhomhemighthavemarried?Thequestionofitselfwasnotatallembarrassingtohim.Hehadrepliedthat,ifhehadnotthenfeltany

tasteformarriage,itwasbecausehisinterviewswiththesetwogirlshadnotcausedhimanyemotionoranyagitation.Hehadsmiledinspeakingthus,butafewminutesafterhesmilednomore.Thisemotion,thisagitation,hehadsuddenlylearnedtoknowthem.Jeandidnotdeceivehimself;heacknowledgedthedepthofthewound;ithadpenetratedtohisveryheart'score.

Jean,however,didnotabandonhimselftothisemotion.Hesaidtohimself:

"Yes,itisserious,veryserious,butIshallrecoverfromit."

Hesoughtanexcuseforhismadness;helaidtheblameoncircumstances.

Fortendaysthisdelightfulgirlhadbeentoomuchwithhim,toomuchwithhimalone!Howcouldheresistsuchatemptation?Hewasintoxicatedwithhercharm,withhergraceandbeauty.ButthenextdayatroopofvisitorswouldarriveatLongueval,andtherewouldbeanendofthisdangerousintimacy.Hewouldhavecourage;hewouldkeepatadistance;hewouldlosehimselfinthecrowd,wouldseeBettinalessoftenandlessfamiliarly.Toseehernomorewasathoughthecouldnotsupport!HewishedtoremainBettina'sfriend,sincehecouldbenothingbutherfriend;fortherewasanotherthoughtwhichscarcelyenteredthemindofJean.Thisthoughtdidnotappearextravaganttohim;it


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appearedmonstrous.InthewholeworldtherewasnotamorehonorablemanthanJean,andhefeltforBettina'smoneyhorror,positivelyhorror.

Fromthe25thofJunethecrowdhadbeeninpossessionofLongueval.Mrs.Nortonarrivedwithherson,DanielNorton;andMrs.Turnerwithherson,PhilipTurner.Bothofthem,theyoungPhilipandtheyoungDaniel,formedapartofthefamousbrotherhoodofthethirty-four.Theywereoldfriends,Bettinahadtreatedthemassuch,andhaddeclaredtothem,withperfectfrankness,thattheywerelosingtheirtime.However,theywerenotdiscouraged,andformedthecentreofalittlecourtwhichwasalwaysveryeagerandassiduousaroundBettina.

PauldeLavardenshadmadehisappearanceonthisscene,andhadveryrapidlybecomeeverybody'sfriend.Hehadreceivedthebrilliantandcomplicatededucationofayoungmandestinedforpleasure.Assoonasitwasaquestiononlyofamusement,riding,croquet,lawn-tennis,polo,dancing,charades,andtheatricals,hewasreadyforeverything.Heexcelledineverything.Hissuperioritywasevident,unquestionable.Paulbecame,inashorttime,bygeneralconsent,thedirectorandorganizerofthefetesatLongueval.

Bettinahadnotamomentofhesitation.JeanintroducedPauldeLavardens,andthelatterhadscarcelyconcludedthecustomarylittlecomplimentwhenMissPercival,leaningtowardhersister,whisperedin

herear:

"Thethirty-fifth!"

However,shereceivedPaulverykindly,sokindlythatforseveraldayshehadtheweaknesstomisunderstandher.Hebelievedthatitwashispersonalgraceswhichhadobtainedforhimthisveryflatteringandcordialreception.Itwasagreatmistake.PauldeLavardenshadbeenintroducedbyJean;hewasthefriendofJean.InBettina'seyes,thereinlayallhismerit.

Mrs.Scott'scastlewasopenhouse;peoplewerenotinvitedforoneeveningonly,butforeveryevening,andPaul,withenthusiasm,came

everyevening!Hisdreamwasatlastrealized;hehad,foundParisatLongueval.

ButPaulwasneitherblindnorafool.Nodoubthewas,onMissPercival'spart,theobjectofveryparticularattentionandfavor.Itpleasedhertotalklong,verylong,alonewithhim.Butwhatwastheeternal,theinexhaustiblesubjectoftheirconversations?Jean,againJean,andalwaysJean!

Paulwasthoughtless,dissipated,frivolous,buthebecameinearnestwhenJeanwasinquestion;heknewhowtoappreciatehim,heknewhowtolovehim.Nothingtohimwassweeter,nothingwaseasier,thantosayofthefriendofhischildhoodallthegoodthathethoughtofhim,andas

hesawthatBettinalistenedwithgreatpleasure,Paulgavefreereintohiseloquence.

Only--andhewasquiteright--Paulwishedoneeveningtoreapthebenefitofhischivalrousconduct.HehadjustbeentalkingforaquarterofanhourwithBettina.Theconversationfinished,hewenttolookforJeanattheotherendofthedrawing-room,andsaidtohim:

"Youleftthefieldopentome,andIhavemadeaboldstrokeforMissPercival."


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"Well,youhavenoreasontobediscontentedwiththeresultoftheenterprise.Youarethebestfriendsintheworld."

"Yes,certainly,prettywell,butnotquitesatisfactory.ThereisnothingmoreamiableormorecharmingthanMissPercival,andreallyitisverygoodofmetoacknowledgeit;for,betweenourselves,shemakesmeplayanungratefulandridiculousrole,arolewhichisquiteunsuitedtomyage.Iam,youwilladmit,ofthelover'sage,andnotofthatoftheconfidant."

"Oftheconfidant!"

"Yes,mydearfellow,oftheconfidant!Thatismyoccupationinthishouse.Youwerelookingatusjustnow.Oh,Ihaveverygoodeyes;youwerelookingatus.Well,doyouknowwhatweweretalkingabout?Ofyou,mydearfellow,ofyou,ofyouagain,ofnothingbutyou.Anditisthesamethingeveryevening;thereisnoendtothequestions:

"'Youwerebroughtuptogether?YoutooklessonstogetherfromtheAbbeConstantin?'

"'WillhesoonbeCaptain?Andthen?'

"'Commandant.'

"'Andthen?'

"'Colonel,etc.,etc.,etc.'

"Ah!Icantellyou,myfriendJean,ifyouliked,youmightdreamaverydeliciousdream."

Jeanwasannoyed,almostangry.Paulwasmuchastonishedatthissuddenattackofirritability.

"Whatisthematter?HaveIsaidanything--"

"Ibegyourpardon;Iwaswrong.Buthowcouldyoutakesuchanabsurdideaintoyourhead?"

"Absurd!Idon'tseeit.Ihaveentertainedtheabsurdideaonmyownaccount."

"Ah!you--"

"Why'Ah!you?'IfIhavehadityoumayhaveit;youarebetterworthitthanIam."

"Paul,Ientreatyou!"

Jean'sdiscomfortwasevident.

"Wewillnotspeakofitagain;wewillnotspeakofitagain.WhatIwantedtosay,inshort,isthatMissPercivalperhapsthinksIamagreeable;butastoconsideringmeseriously,thatlittlepersonwillnevercommitsuchafolly.ImustfallbackuponMrs.Scott,butwithoutmuchconfidence.Yousee,Jean,Ishallamusemyselfinthishouse,butIshallmakenothingoutofit."


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PauldeLavardensdidfallbackuponMrs.Scott,butthenextdaywassurprisedtostumbleuponJean,whohadtakentoplacinghimselfveryregularlyinMrs.Scott'sparticularcircle,forlikeBettinashehadalsoherlittlecourt.ButwhatJeansoughttherewasaprotection,ashelter,arefuge.

Thedayofthatmemorableconversationonmarriagewithoutlove,Bettinahadalso,forthefirsttime,feltsuddenlyawakeinherthatnecessityoflovingwhichsleeps,butnotveryprofoundly,intheheartsofallyounggirls.Thesensationhadbeenthesame,atthesamemoment,inthesoulofBettinaandthesoulofJean.He,terrified,hadcastitviolentlyfromhim.She,onthecontrary,hadyielded,inallthesimplicityofherperfectinnocence,tothisfloodofemotionandoftenderness.

Shehadwaitedforlove.Couldthisbelove?Themanwhowastobeherthought,herlife,hersoul--couldthisbehe--thisJean?Whynot?Sheknewhimbetterthansheknewallthosewho,duringthepastyear,hadhauntedherforherfortune,andinwhatsheknewofhimtherewasnothingtodiscouragetheloveofagoodgirl.Farfromit!

Bothofthemdidwell;bothofthemwereinthewayofdutyandoftruth--she,inyielding;he,inresisting;she,innotthinkingforamomentoftheobscurityofJean;he,inrecoilingbeforehermountainofwealth

ashewouldhaverecoiledbeforeacrime;she,inthinkingthatshehadnorighttoparleywithlove;he,inthinkinghehadnorighttoparleywithhonor.

Thisiswhy,inproportionasBettinashowedherselfmoretender,andabandonedherselfwithmorefranknesstothefirstcalloflove--thisiswhyJeanbecame,daybyday,moregloomyandmorerestless.Hewasnotonlyafraidofloving;hewasafraidofbeingloved.

Heoughttohaveremainedaway;heshouldnothavecomenearher.Hehadtried;hecouldnot;thetemptationwastoostrong;itcarriedhimaway;sohecame.Shewouldcometohim,herhandsextended,asmileonherlips,andherheartinhereyes.Everythinginhersaid:

"Letustrytoloveeachother,andifwecanlove,wewill!"

Fearseizedhim.Thosetwohandswhichofferedthemselvestothepressureofhishands,hehardlydaredtouchthem.Hetriedtoescapethoseeyeswhich,tenderandsmiling,anxiousandcurious,triedtomeethiseyes.HetrembledbeforethenecessityofspeakingtoBettina,beforethenecessityoflisteningtoher.

ItwasthenthatJeantookrefugewithMrs.Scott,anditwasthenthatMrs.Scottgatheredthoseuncertain,agitated,troubledwordswhichwerenotaddressedtoher,andwhichshetookforherself,nevertheless.Itwouldhavebeendifficultnottobemistaken.

Forofthesestillvagueandconfusedsentimentswhichagitatedher,Bettinahadasyetsaidnothing.Sheguardedandcaressedthesecretofherbuddinglove,asamiserguardsandcaressesthefirstcoinsofhistreasure.Thedaywhensheshouldseeclearlyintoherownheart;thedaythatsheshouldbesurethatsheloved--ah!shewouldspeakthatday,andhowhappysheshouldbetotellalltoSusie!

Mrs.ScotthadendedbyattributingtoherselfthismelancholyofJean,which,daybyday,tookamoremarkedcharacter.Shewasflatteredby


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it--awomanisneverdispleasedatthinkingherselfbeloved--andvexedatthesametime.SheheldJeaningreatesteem,ingreataffection;butshewasgreatlydistressedatthethoughtthatifheweresadandunhappy,itwasbecauseofher.

Susiewas,besides,consciousofherowninnocence.Withothersshehadsometimesbeencoquettish,verycoquettish.Totormentthemalittle,wasthatsuchagreatcrime?Theyhadnothingtodo,theyweregood-for-nothing,itoccupiedthemwhileitamusedher.Ithelpedthemtopasstheirtime,andithelpedher,too.ButSusiehadnottoreproachherselfforhavingflirtedwithJean.Sherecognizedhismeritandhissuperiority;hewasworthmorethantheothers,hewasamantosufferseriously,andthatwaswhatMrs.Scottdidnotwish.Already,twoorthreetimes,shehadbeenonthepointofspeakingtohimveryseriously,veryaffectionately,butshehadreflectedJeanwasgoingawayforthreeweeks;onhisreturn,ifitwerestillnecessary,shewouldreadhimalecture,andwouldactinsuchamannerthatloveshouldnotcomeandfoolishlyinterfereintheirfriendship.

SoJeanwastogothenextday.BettinahadinsistedthatheshouldspendthislastdayatLongueval,anddineatthehouse.Jeanhadrefused,allegingthathehadmuchtodothenightbeforehisdeparture.

Hearrivedintheevening,abouthalf-pastten;hecameonfoot.Several

timesonthewayhehadbeeninclinedtoreturn.

"IfIhadcourageenough,"hesaidtohimself,"Iwouldnotseeheragain.Ishallleaveto-morrow,andreturnnomoretoSouvignywhilesheisthere.Myresolutionistaken,andtakenforever."

Buthecontinuedhisway,hewouldseeheragain--forthelasttime.

Assoonasheenteredthedrawing-room,Bettinahastenedtohim.

"Itisyouatlast!Howlateyouare!"

"Ihavebeenverybusy."

"Andyouaregoingto-morrow?"

"Yes,to-morrow."

"Early?"

"Atfiveinthemorning."

"Youwillgobytheroadwhichrunsbythewallofthepark,andgoesthroughthevillage?"

"Yes,thatisthewayweshallgo."

"Whysoearlyinthemorning?Iwouldhavegoneoutontheterracetoseeyoupass,andtowishyougood-by."

BettinadetainedforamomentJean'sburninghandinhers.Hedrewitmournfullyaway,withaneffort.

"Imustgoandspeaktoyoursister,"saidhe.

"Directly,shehasnotseenyou,thereareadozenpersonsroundher.


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Comeandsitherealittlewhile,nearme."

Hewasobligedtoseathimselfbesideher.

"Wearegoingaway,too,"saidshe.

"You!"

"Yes.Anhourago,wereceivedatelegramfrommybrother-in-law,whichhascausedusgreatjoy.Wedidnotexpecthimforamonth,butheiscomingbackinafortnight.Hewillembarkthedayafterto-morrowatNewYork,onboardtheLabrador.WearegoingtomeethimatHavre.Weshallalsostartthedayafterto-morrow;wearegoingtotakethechildren,itwilldothemagreatdealofgoodtospendafewdaysattheseaside.Howpleasedmybrother-in-lawwillbetoknowyou--heknowsyoualready,wehavespokenofyouinallourletters.IamsureyouandMr.Scottwillgetonextremelywelltogether,heissogood.Howlongshallyoustayaway?"

"Threeweeks."

"Threeweeksinacamp?"

"Yes,MissPercival,inthecampofCercottes."

"InthemiddleoftheforestofOrleans.Imadeyourgodfatherexplainallaboutittomethismorning.OfcourseIamdelightedtogotomeetmybrother-in-law;butatthesametime,Iamalittlesorrytoleavehere,forIshouldhavegoneeverymorningtopayalittlevisittoMonsieurl'Abbe.Hewouldhavegivenmenewsofyou.Perhaps,inabouttendays,youwillwritetomysister--alittlenoteofthreeorfourlines--itwillnottakemuchofyourtime--justtotellherhowyouare,andthatyoudonotforgetus."

"Oh,astoforgettingyou,astolosingtheremembranceofyourextremekindness,yourgoodness,never,MissPercival,never!"

Hisvoicetrembled,hewasafraidofhisownemotion,herose.

"Iassureyou,MissPercival,Imustgoandspeaktoyoursister.Sheislookingatme.Shemustbeastonished."

Hecrossedtheroom,Bettinafollowedhimwithhereyes.

Mrs.Nortonhadjustplacedherselfatthepianotoplayawaltzfortheyoungpeople.

PauldeLavardensapproachedMissPercival.

"Willyoudomethehonor,MissPercival?"

"IbelieveIhavejustpromisedthisdancetoMonsieurJean,"shereplied.

"Well,ifnottohim,willyougiveittome?"

"Thatisunderstood."

BettinawalkedtowardJean,whohadseatedhimselfnearMrs.Scott.


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"Ihavejusttoldadreadfulstory,"saidshe."MonsieurdeLavardenshasaskedmeforthisdance,andIrepliedthatIhadpromisedittoyou.Youwouldlikeit,wouldn'tyou?"

Toholdherinhisarms,tobreathetheperfumeofherhair--Jeanfelthiscouragecouldnotsupportthisordeal,hedarednotaccept.

"IregretextremelyIcannot,Iamnotwelltonight;IpersistedincomingbecauseIwouldnotleavewithoutwishingyougood-by,butdance,no,itisimpossible!"

Mrs.Nortonbeganthepreludeofthewaltz.

"Well,"saidPaul,comingupquitejoyful,"whoisittobe,heorI?"

"You,"shesaid,sadly,withoutremovinghereyesfromJean.

Shewasmuchdisturbed,andrepliedwithoutknowingwellwhatshesaid.Sheimmediatelyregrettedhavingaccepted,shewouldhavelikedtostaythere,nearhim.Butitwastoolate,Paultookherhandandledheraway.

Jeanrose;helookedatthetwo,BettinaandPaul,ahazefloatedbeforehiseyes,hesufferedcruelly.

"ThereisonlyonethingIcando,"thoughthe,"profitbythiswaltz,andgo.To-morrowIwillwriteafewlinestoMrs.Scotttoexcusemyself."

Hegainedthedoor,helookednomoreatBettina;hadhelooked,hewouldhavestayed.

ButBettinalookedathim;andallatonceshesaidtoPaul:

"Thankyouverymuch,butIamalittletired,letusstop,please.Youwillexcuseme,willyounot?"

Paulofferedhisarm.

"No,thankyou,"saidshe.

Thedoorwasjustclosing,Jeanwasnolongerthere.Bettinaranacrosstheroom.Paulremainedalone,muchsurprised,understandingnothingofwhathadpassed.

Jeanwasalreadyatthehall-door,whenheheardsomeonecall--"MonsieurJean!MonsieurJean!"

Hestoppedandturned.Shewasnearhim.

"Youaregoingwithoutwishingmegood-by?"

"Ibegyourpardon,Iamverytired."

"Thenyoumustnotwalkhome,theweatheristhreatening,"sheextendedherhandout-of-doors,"itisrainingalready."

"Comeandhaveacupofteainthelittledrawing-room,andIwilltellthemtodriveyouhome,"andturningtowardoneofthefootmen,"tellthemtosendacarriagerounddirectly."


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"No,MissPercival,pray,theopenairwillreviveme.Imustwalk,letmego."

"Go,then,butyouhavenogreatcoat,takesomethingtowrapyourselfin."

"Ishallnotbecold--whileyouwiththatopendress--Ishallgotoobligeyoutogoin."Andwithoutevenofferinghishand,heranquicklydownthesteps.

"IfItouchherhand,"hethought,"Iamlost,mysecretwillescapeme."

Hissecret!HedidnotknowthatBettinareadhisheartlikeanopenbook.

WhenJeanhaddescendedthesteps,hehesitatedoneshortmoment,thesewordswereuponhislips:

"Iloveyou,Iadoreyou,andthatiswhyIwillseeyounomore!"

Buthedidnotutterthesewords,hefledawayandwassoonlostinthedarkness.

Bettinaremainedthereagainstthebrilliantbackgroundmadebythelightfromthehall.Greatdropsofrain,drivenbythewind,sweptacrossherbareshouldersandmadehershiver;shetooknonotice,shedistinctlyheardherheartbeat.

"Iknewverywellthathelovedme,"shethought,"butnowIamverysure,thatI,too--oh!yes!I,too!--"

Allatonce,inoneofthegreatmirrorsinthehalldoor,shesawthereflectionofthetwofootmenwhostoodtheremotionless,neartheoaktableinthehall.Bettinaheardburstsoflaughterandthestrainsofthewaltz;shestopped.Shewishedtobealone,completelyalone,andaddressingoneoftheservants,shesaid:

"GoandtellyourmistressthatIamverytired,andhavegonetomyownroom."

Annie,hermaid,hadfallenasleep,inaneasy-chair.Shesentheraway.Shewouldundressherself.Sheletherselfsinkonacouch,shewasoppressedwithdeliciousemotion.

Thedoorofherroomopened,itwasMrs.Scott.

"Youarenotwell,Bettina?"

"Oh,Susie,isityou,mySusie?howniceofyoutocome.Sithere,

closetome,quiteclosetome."

Shehidherselflikeachildinthearmsofhersister,caressingwithherburningbrowSusie'sfreshshoulders.Thenshesuddenlyburstintosobs,greatsobs,whichstifled,suffocatedher.

"Bettina,mydarling,whatisthematter?"

"Nothing,nothing!itisnothing,itisjoy--joy!"


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"Joy?"

"Yes,yes,wait--letmecryalittle,itwilldomesomuchgood.Butdonotbefrightened,donotbefrightened."

Beneathhersister'scaress,Bettinagrewcalm,soothed.

"Itisover,Iambetternow,andIcantalktoyou.ItisaboutJean."

"Jean!YoucallhimJean?"

"Yes,IcallhimJean.Haveyounotnoticedforsometimethathewasdullandlookedquitemelancholy?"

"Yes,Ihave."

"Whenhecame,hewentandpostedhimselfnearyou,andstayedthere,silent,absorbedtosuchadegree,thatforseveraldaysIaskedmyself--pardonmeforspeakingtoyouwithsuchfrankness,itismyway,youknow--Iaskedmyselfifitwerenotyouwhomheloved,Susie;youaresocharming,itwouldhavebeensonatural!Butno,itwasnotyou,itwasI!"

"You?"

"Yes,I.Listen,hescarcelydaredtolookatme,heavoidedme,hefledfromme,hewasafraidofme,evidentlyafraid.Now,injustice,amIapersontoinspirefear?IamsureIamnot!"

"Certainlynot!"

"Ah!itwasnotIofwhomhewasafraid,itwasmymoney,myhorridmoney!Thismoneywhichattractsalltheothersandtemptsthemsomuch,thismoneyterrifieshim,driveshimdesperate,becauseheisnotliketheothers,becausehe--"

"Mychild,takecare,perhapsyouaremistaken."

"Oh,no,Iamnotmistaken!Justnow,atthedoor,whenhewasgoingaway,hesaidsomewordstome.Thesewordswerenothing.Butifyouhadseenhisdistressinspiteofallhiseffortstocontrolit!Susie,dearSusie,bytheaffectionwhichIbearyou,andGodknowshowgreatisthataffection,thisismyconviction,myabsoluteconviction--if,insteadofbeingMissPercival,IhadbeenapoorlittlegirlwithoutapennyJeanwouldthenhavetakenmyhand,andhavetoldmethathelovedme,andifhehadspokentomethus,doyouknowwhatIshouldhavereplied?"

"Thatyoulovedhim,too?"

"Yes;andthatiswhyIamsohappy.WithmeitisafixedideathatImustadorethemanwhowillbemyhusband.Well!Idon'tsaythatIadoreJean,no,notyet;butstillitisbeginning,Susie,anditisbeginningsosweetly."

"Bettina,itreallymakesmeuneasytoseeyouinthisstateofexcitement.IdonotdenythatMonsieurReynaudismuchattachedtoyou--"

"Oh,morethanthat,morethanthat!"


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"Lovesyou,ifyoulike;yes,youareright,youarequiteright.Helovesyou;andareyounotworthy,mydarling,ofallthelovethatonecanbearyou?AstoJean--itisprogressingdecidedly,hereamIalsocallinghimJean--well!youknowwhatIthinkofhim.Irankhimvery,veryhigh.Butinspiteofthat,ishereallyasuitablehusbandforyou?"

"Yes,ifIlovehim."

"Iamtryingtotalksensiblytoyou,andyou,onthecontrary--Understandme,Bettina;Ihaveanexperienceoftheworldwhichyoucannothave.SinceourarrivalinParis,wehavebeenlaunchedintoaverybrilliant,veryanimated,veryaristocraticsociety.Youmighthavebeenalready,ifyouhadliked,marchionessorprincess."

"Yes,butIdidnotlike."

"ItwouldnotmattertoyoutobecalledMadameReynaud?"

"Notintheleast,ifIlovehim."

"Ah!youreturnalwaysto--"

"Becausethatisthetruequestion.Thereisnoother.NowIwillbesensibleinmyturn.Thisquestion--Igrantthatthisisnotquitesettled,andthatIhave,perhaps,allowedmyselftobetooeasilypersuaded.YouseehowsensibleIam.Jeanisgoingawayto-morrow,Ishallnotseehimagainforthreeweeks.DuringthesethreeweeksIshallhaveampletimetoquestionmyself,toexaminemyself,inaword,toknowmyownmind.Undermygiddymanner,Iamseriousandthoughtful,youknowthat?"

"Oh,yes,Iknowit."

"Well,Iwillmakethispetitiontoyou,asIwouldhaveaddressedittoourmotherhadshebeenhere.If,inthreeweeks,Isaytoyou,'Susie,

IamcertainthatIlovehim,'willyouallowmetogotohim,myself,quitealone,andaskhimifhewillhavemeforhiswife?ThatiswhatyoudidwithRichard.Tellme,Susie,willyouallowme?"

"Yes,Iwillallowyou."

Bettinaembracedhersister,andmurmuredthesewordsinherear:

"Thankyou,mamma."

"Mamma,mamma!Itwasthusthatyouusedtocallmewhenyouwereachild,whenwewerealoneintheworldtogether,whenIusedtoundressyouinourpoorroominNewYork,whenIheldyouinmyarms,whenIlaid

youinyourlittlebed,whenIsangyoutosleep.Andsincethen,Bettina,Ihavehadonlyonedesireintheworld,yourhappiness.ThatiswhyIbegyoutoreflectwell.Donotanswerme,donotletustalkanymoreofthat.Iwishtoleaveyouverycalm,verytranquil.YouhavesentawayAnnie,wouldyoulikemetobeyourlittlemammaagaintonight,toundressyou,andputyoutobedasIusedtodo?"

"Yes,Ishouldlikeitverymuch."

"Andwhenyouareinbed,youpromisemetobeverygood?"


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"Asgoodasanangel."

"Youwilldoyourbesttogotosleep?"

"Myverybest."

"Veryquietly,withoutthinkingofanything?"

"Veryquietly,withoutthinkingofanything."

"Verywell,then."

Tenminutesafter,Bettina'sprettyheadrestedgentlyamidembroideriesandlace.Susiesaidtohersister:

"Iamgoingdowntothosepeoplewhoboremedreadfullythisevening.Beforegoingtomyownroom,Ishallcomebackandseeifyouareasleep.Donotspeak.Gotosleep."

Shewentaway.Bettinaremainedalone;shetriedtokeepherword;sheendeavoredtogotosleep,butonlyhalf-succeeded.Shefellintoahalf-slumberwhichleftherfloatingbetweendreamandreality.Shehadpromisedtothinkofnothing,andyetshethoughtofhim,alwaysofhim,

ofnothingbuthim,vaguely,confusedly.

Howlongatimepassedthusshecouldnottell.

Allatonceitseemedtoherthatsomeonewaswalkinginherroom;shehalf-openedhereyes,andthoughtsherecognizedhersister.Inaverysleepyvoiceshesaidtoher:

"YouknowIlovehim."

"Hush!gotosleep."

"Iamasleep!Iamasleep!"

Atlastshedidfallsoundasleep,lessprofoundly,however,thanusual,foraboutfouro'clockinthemorningshewassuddenlyawakenedbyanoise,which,thenightbefore,wouldnothavedisturbedherslumber.Therainfellintorrents,andbeatagainstherwindow.

"Oh,itisraining!"shethought."Hewillgetwet."

Thatwasherfirstthought.Sherose,crossedtheroombarefooted,half-openedtheshutters.Thedayhadbroke,grayandlowering;thecloudswereheavywithrain,thewindblewtempestuously,anddrovetherainingustsbeforeit.

Bettinadidnotgobacktobed,shefeltitwouldbequiteimpossibletosleepagain.Sheputonadressing-gown,andremainedatthewindow;shewatchedthefallingrain.Sincehepositivelymustgo,shewouldhavelikedtheweathertobefine;shewouldhavelikedbrightsunshinetohavecheeredhisfirstday'smarch.

WhenshecametoLonguevalamonthago,Bettinadidnotknowwhatthismeant.Butsheknewitnow.Aday'smarchfortheartilleryistwentyorthirtymiles,withanhour'shaltforluncheon.ItwastheAbbeConstantinwhohadtaughtherthat;whengoingtheirroundsinthe


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morningamongthepoor,BettinaoverwhelmedtheCurewithquestionsonmilitaryaffairs,andparticularlyontheartillery.

Twentyorthirtymilesunderthispouringrain!PoorJean!BettinathoughtofyoungTurner,youngNorton,ofPauldeLavardens,whowouldsleepcalmlytillteninthemorning,whileJeanwasexposedtothisdeluge.

PauldeLavardens!

Thisnameawokeinherapainfulmemory,thememoryofthatwaltztheeveningbefore.Tohavedancedlikethat,whileJeanwassoobviouslyintrouble!Thatwaltztooktheproportionsofacrimeinhereyes;itwasahorriblethingthatshehaddone.

Andthen,hadshenotbeenwantingincourageandfranknessinthatlastinterviewwithJean?Heneithercouldnordaredsayanything;butshemighthaveshownmoretenderness,moreexpansiveness.Sadandsufferingashewas,sheshouldneverhaveallowedhimtogobackonfoot.Sheoughttohavedetainedhimatanyprice.Herimaginationtormentedandexcitedher;Jeanmusthavecarriedawaywithhimtheimpressionthatshewasabadlittlecreature,heartlessandpitiless.Andinhalf-an-hourhewasgoingaway,awayforthreeweeks.Ah!ifshecouldbyanymeans--butthereisaway!Theregimentmustpassalongthewallofthepark,

undertheterrace.

BettinawasseizedwithawilddesiretoseeJeanpass;hewouldunderstandwell,ifhesawheratsuchanhour,thatshehadcometobeghispardonforhercrueltyofthepreviousevening.Yes,shewouldgo!ButshehadpromisedtoSusietobeasgoodasanangel,andtodowhatshewasgoingtodo,wasthatbeingasgoodasanangel?ShewouldmakeupforitbyacknowledgingalltoSusiewhenshecameinagain,andSusiewouldforgiveher.

Shewouldgo!Shehadmadeuphermind.Onlyhowshouldshedressherself?Shehadnothingathandbutamuslindressing-gown,littlehigh-heeledslippers,andbluesatinshoes.Shemightwakehermaid.

Oh,neverwouldshedaretodothat,andtimepressed;aquartertofive!theregimentwouldstartatfiveo'clock.

Shemight,perhaps,managewiththemuslindressing-gown,andthesatinshoes;inthehall,shemightfindherhat,herlittlesabotswhichsheworeinthegarden,andthelargetartancloakfordrivinginwetweather.Shehalf-openedherdoorwithinfiniteprecautions.Everythingsleptinthehouse;shecreptalongthecorridor,shedescendedthestaircase.

Ifonlythelittlesabotsarethereintheirplace;thatishergreatanxiety.Theretheyare!Sheslipsthemonoverhersatinshoes,shewrapsherselfinhergreatmantle.

Shehearsthattherainhasredoubledinviolence.Shenoticesoneofthoselargeumbrellaswhichthefootmenuseontheboxinwetweather;sheseizesit;sheisready;butwhensheisreadytogo,sheseesthatthehall-doorisfastenedbyagreatironbar.Shetriestoraiseit;buttheboltholdsfast,resistsallherefforts,andthegreatclockinthehallslowlystrikesfive.Heisstartingatthatmoment.

Shewillseehim!shewillseehim!Herwillisexcitedbytheseobstacles.Shemakesagreateffort;thebaryields,slipsbackinthe


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groove.ButBettinahasmadealongscratchonherhand,fromwhichissuesaslenderstreamofblood.Bettinatwistsherhandkerchiefroundherhand,takeshergreatumbrella,turnsthekeyinthelock;andopensthedoor.

Atlastsheisoutofthehouse!

Theweatherisfrightful.Thewindandtherainragetogether.Ittakesfiveorsixminutestoreachtheterracewhichlooksovertheroad.Bettinadartsforwardcourageously;herheadbent,hiddenunderherimmenseumbrella,shehastakenafewsteps.Allatonce,furious,mad,blinding,asuddensquallburstsuponBettina,buriesherinhermantle,drivesheralong,liftsheralmostfromtheground,turnstheumbrellaviolentlyinsideout;thatisnothing,thedisasterisnotyetcomplete.

Bettinahaslostoneofherlittlesabots;theywerenotpracticalsabots;theywereonlyprettylittlethingsforfineweather,andatthismoment,whenBettinastrugglesagainstthetempestwithherbluesatinshoehalfburiedinthewetgravel,atthismomentthewindbearstoherthedistantechoofablastoftrumpets.Itistheregimentstarting!

Bettinamakesadesperateeffort,abandonsherumbrella,findsherlittlesabot,fastensitonaswellasshecan,andstartsoffrunning,withadelugedescendingonherhead.

Atlast,sheisinthewood,thetreesprotectheralittle.Anotherblast,nearerthistime.Bettinafanciesshehearstherollingofthegun-carriages.Shemakesalasteffort,thereistheterrace,sheistherejustintime.

Twentyyardsoffsheperceivedthewhitehorsesofthetrumpeters,andalongtheroadcaughtglimpses,vaguelyappearingthroughthefog,ofthelonglineofgunsandwagons.

Sheshelteredherselfunderoneoftheoldlimeswhichborderedtheterrace.Shewatched,shewaited.Heisthereamongthatconfusedmassofriders.Willshebeabletorecognizehim?Andhe,willheseeher?

Willanychancemakehimturnhisheadthatway?

BettinaknowsthatheisLieutenantinthesecondbatteryofhisregiment;sheknowsthatabatteryiscomposedofsixguns,andsixammunitionwagons.OfcourseitistheAbbeConstantinwhohastaughtherthat.Thusshemustallowthefirstbatterytopass,thatistosay,countsixguns,sixwagons,andthen--hewillbethere.

Thereheisatlast,wrappedinhisgreatcloak,anditishewhosees,whorecognizesherfirst.Afewmomentsbefore,hehadrecalledtohismindalongwalkwhichhehadtakenwithheroneevening,whennightwasfalling,onthatterrace.Heraisedhiseyes,andtheveryspotwhereherememberedhavingseenher,wasthespotwherehefoundheragain.He

bowed,and,bareheadedintherain,turningroundinhissaddle,aslongashecouldseeher,helookedather.Hesaidagaintohimselfwhathehadsaidthepreviousevening:

"Itisforthelasttime."

Withacharminggestureofbothhands,shereturnedhisfarewell,andthisgesture,repeatedmanytimes,broughtherhandssonear,sonearherlips,thatonemighthavefancied--


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"Ah!"shethought,"if,afterthat,hedoesnotunderstandthatIlovehim,anddoesnotforgivememymoney!"

CHAPTERIX

THEREWARDOFTENDERCOURAGE

Itwasthe20thofAugust,thedaywhichshouldbringJeanbacktoLongueval.

Bettinaawokeveryearly,rose,andranimmediatelytothewindow.Theeveningbefore,theskyhadlookedthreatening,heavywithclouds.Bettinasleptbutlittle,andallnightprayedthatitmightnotrainthenextday.

IntheearlymorningadensefogenvelopedtheparkofLongueval,thetreesofwhichwerehiddenfromview,asbyacurtain.Butgraduallytheraysofthesundissipatedthemist,thetreesbecamevaguelydiscerniblethroughthevapor;then,suddenly,thesunshonebrilliantly,floodingwithlightthepark,andthefieldsbeyond;andthelake,wheretheblackswansweredisportingthemselvesintheradiantlight,appearedasbright

asasheetofpolishedmetal.

Theweatherwasgoingtobebeautiful.Bettinawasalittlesuperstitious.Thesunshinegiveshergoodhopeandgoodcourage."Thedaybeginswell,soitwillfinishwell."

Mr.Scotthadcomehomeseveraldaysbefore.Susie,Betting,andthechildrenwaitedonthequayatHavreforthearrivalofhissteamer.

Theyexchangedmanytenderembraces;then,Richard,addressinghissister-in-law,said,laughingly:

"Well,whenistheweddingtobe?"

"Whatwedding?"

"Yours."

"Mywedding?"

"Yes,certainly."

"AndtowhomamIabouttobemarried?"

"ToMonsieurJeanReynaud."

"Ah!Susiehaswrittentoyou?"

"Susie?Notatall.Susiehasnotsaidaword.Itisyou,Bettina,whohavewrittentome.Forthelasttwomonths,allyourlettershavebeenoccupiedwiththisyoungofficer."

"Allmyletters?"

"Yes,andyouhavewrittentomeoftenerandmoreatlengththanusual.Idonotcomplainofthat,butIdoaskwhenyouaregoingtopresentme


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withabrother-in-law?"

Hespokejestingly,butBettinareplied:

"Soon,Ihope."

Mr.Scottperceivedthattheaffairwasserious.Whenreturninginthecarriage,BettinaaskedMr.Scottifhehadkeptherletters.

"Certainly,"hereplied.

Shereadthemagain.Itwasindeedonlywith"Jean"thatalltheselettershavebeenfilled.Shefoundthereinrelated,downtothemosttriflingdetails,theirfirstmeeting.TherewastheportraitofJeaninthevicaragegarden,withhisstrawhatandhisearthenwaresalad-dish--andthenitwasagainMonsieurJean,alwaysMonsieurJean.Shediscoveredthatshehadlovedhimmuchlongerthanshehadsuspected.Atlastitwasthe10thofAugust.Luncheonwasjustover,andHarryandBellawereimpatient.Theyknewthatbetweenoneandtwoo'clocktheregimentmustpassthroughthevillage.Theyhadbeenpromisedthattheyshouldbetakentoseethesoldierspass,andforthem,aswellasforBettina,thereturnofthe9thArtillerywasagreatevent.

"AuntBetty,"saidBella,"AuntBetty,comewithus."

"Yes,docome,"saidHarry,"docome,weshallseeourfriendJean,onhisbiggrayhorse."

Bettinaresisted,refused--andyethowgreatwasthetemptation.Butno,shewouldnotgo,shewouldnotseeJeanagaintilltheevening,whenshewouldgivehimthatdecisiveexplanationforwhichshehadbeenpreparingherselfforthelastthreeweeks.Thechildrenwentawaywiththeirgovernesses.Bettina,Susie,andRichardwenttositinthepark,quiteclosetothecastle,andassoonastheywereestablishedthere:

"Susie,"saidBettina,"Iamgoingtoremindyoutodayofyourpromise;yourememberwhatpassedbetweenusthenightofhisdeparture;we

settledthatif,onthedayofhisreturn,Icouldsaytoyou,'Susie,IamsurethatIlovehim,'wesettledthatyouwouldallowmetospeakfranklytohim,andaskhimifhewouldhavemeforhiswife."

"Yes,Ididpromiseyou.Butareyouverysure?"

"Absolutely--andnowthetimehascometoredeemyourpromise.IwarnyouthatIintendtobringhimtothisveryplace,"sheadded,smiling,"tothisseat;andtousealmostthesamelanguagetohimthatyouformerlyusedtoRichard.Youweresuccessful,Susie,youareperfectlyhappy,andI--thatiswhatIwishtobe."

"Richard,SusiehastoldyouaboutMonsieurReynaud."

"Yes,andshehastoldmethatthereisnomanofwhomshehasahigheropinion,but--"

"Butshehastoldyouthatformeitwouldbearatherquiet,rathercommonplacemarriage.Oh,naughtysister!Willyoubelieveit,Richard,thatIcannotgetthisfearoutofherhead?Shedoesnotunderstandthat,beforeeverything,Iwishtoloveandbeloved;willyoubelieveit,Richard,thatonlylastweekshelaidahorribletrapforme?YouknowthatthereexistsacertainPrinceRomanelli."


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"Yes,Iknowyoumighthavebeenaprincess."

"Thatwouldnothavebeenimmenselydifficult,Ibelieve.Well,onedayIwassofoolishastosaytoSusie,that,inextremity,ImightacceptthePrinceRomanelli.Now,justimaginewhatshedid.TheTurnerswereatTrouville,Susiehadarrangedalittleplot.WelunchedwiththePrince,buttheresultwasdisastrous.Accepthim!ThetwohoursthatIpassedwithhim,IpassedinaskingmyselfhowIcouldhavesaidsuchathing.No,Richard;no,Susie;Iwillbeneitherprincess,normarchioness,norcountess.MywishistobeMadameJeanReynaud;if,however,MonsieurJeanReynaudwillagreetoit,andthatisbynomeanscertain."

Theregimententeredthevillage,andsuddenlymilitarymusicburstmartialandjoyousacrossthespace.Allthreeremainedsilent,itwastheregiment,itwasJeanwhopassed;thesoundbecamefainter,diedaway,andBettinacontinued:

"No,thatisnotcertain.Helovesme,however,andmuch,butwithoutknowingwellwhatIam;IthinkthatIdeservetobeloveddifferently;IthinkthatIshouldnotcausehimsomuchterror,somuchfear,ifheknewmebetter,andthatiswhyIaskyoutopermitmetospeaktohimthiseveningfreely,frommyheart."

"Wewillallowyou,"repliedRichard,"youshallspeaktohimfreely,forweknow,bothofus,Bettina,thatyouwillneverdoanythingthatisnotnobleandgenerous."

"Atleast,Ishalltry."

Thechildrenranuptothem;theyhadseenJean,hewasquitewhitewithdust,hesaidgood-morningtothem.

"Only,"addedBella,"heisnotverynice,hedidnotstoptotalktous;usuallyhestops,butthistimehewouldn't."

"Yes,hewould,"repliedHarry,"foratfirstheseemedasifheweregoingto--andthenhewouldnot,hewentaway."

"Well,hedidn'tstop,anditissonicetotalktoasoldier,especiallywhenheisonhorseback."

"Itisnotthatonly,itisthatweareveryfondofMonsieurJean;ifyouknew,papa,howkindheis,andhownicelyheplayswithus."

"Andwhatbeautifuldrawingshemakes.Harry,yourememberthatgreatPunchwhowassofunny,withhisstick,youknow?"

"Andthedog,therewasthelittledog,too,asintheshow."

ThetwochildrenwentawaytalkingoftheirfriendJean.

"Decidedly,"saidMr.Scott,"everyonelikeshiminthishouse."

"Andyouwillbelikeeveryoneelsewhenyouknowhim,"repliedBettina.

Theregimentbrokeintoatrotalongthehighroad,afterleavingthevillage.TherewastheterracewhereBettinahadbeentheothermorning.Jeansaidtohimself:


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"Supposingsheshouldbethere."

Hedreadedandhopeditatthesametime.Heraisedhishead,helooked,shewasnotthere.

Hehadnotseenheragain,hewouldnotseeheragain,foralong-timeatleast.Hewouldstartthatveryeveningatsixo'clockforParis;oneofthepersonagesintheWarOfficewasinterestedinhim;hewouldtrytogetexchangedintoanotherregiment.

AloneatCercottes,Jeanhadhadtimetoreflectdeeply,andthatwastheresultofhisreflections.Hecouldnot,hemustnot,beBettinaPercival'shusband.

Themendismountedatthebarracks,JeantookleaveofhisColonel,hiscomrades;allwasover.Hewasfree,hecouldgo.

Buthedidnotgo;helookedaroundhim.Howhappyhewasthreemonthsago,whenherodeoutofthatgreatyardamidthenoiseofthecannonrollingoverthepavementofSouvigny;buthowsadlyheshouldrideawayto-day!Formerlyhislifewasthere;wherewoulditbehereafter?

Hereturned,wenttohisownroom,andwrotetoMrs.Scott;hetoldher

thathisdutiesobligedhimtoleaveimmediately,hecouldnotdineatthecastle,andbeggedMrs.ScotttorememberhimtoMissBettina.Bettina,ah!whattroubleitcosthimtowritethatname.Heclosedhisletter;hewouldsenditdirectly.

Hemadehispreparationsfordeparture;thenhewenttowishhisgodfatherfarewell.Thatiswhatcosthimmost;hemustspeaktohimonlyofashortabsence.

Heopenedoneofthedrawersofhisbureautotakeoutsomemoney.Thefirstthingthatmethiseyeswasalittlenoteonbluishpaper;itwastheonlynotewhichhehadeverreceivedfromher.

"Willyouhavethekindnesstogivetotheservantthebookofwhichyouspokeyesterdayevening.Perhapsitwillbealittleseriousforme,butyetIshouldliketotrytoreadit.Weshallseeyouto-night;comeasearlyaspossible."Itwassigned"Bettina."

Jeanreadandre-readthesefewlines,butsoonhecouldreadthemnolonger,hiseyesweredim.

"Itisallthatisleftmeofher,"hethought.

AtthesamemomenttheAbbeConstantinwastete-a-tetewitholdPauline,theyweremakinguptheiraccounts.Thefinancialsituationwasadmirable;morethan2,000francsinhand!AndthewishesofSusieand

Bettinawereaccomplished,therewerenomorepoorintheneighborhood.Hisoldservant,Pauline,hadevenoccasionalscruplesofconscience.

"Yousee,MonsieurleCure,"saidshe,"perhapswegivethemalittletoomuch.Thenitwillbespreadaboutinotherparishesthatheretheycanalwaysfindcharity.Anddoyouknowwhatwillhappenthen,oneofthesedays?PoorpeoplewillcomeandsettleinLongueval."

TheCuregavefiftyfrancstoPauline.Shewenttotakethemtoapoormanwhohadbrokenhisarmafewdaysbefore,byfallingfromthetopof


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ahay-cart.

TheAbbeConstantinremainedaloneinthevicarage.Hewasratheranxious.Hehadwatchedforthepassingoftheregiment;butJeanonlystoppedforamoment,helookedsad.Forsometime,theAbbehadnoticedthatJeanhadnolongertheflowofgood-humorandgayetyheoncepossessed.

TheCuredidnotdisturbhimselftoomuchaboutit,believingittobeoneofthoselittleyouthfultroubleswhichdidnotconcernapooroldpriest.But,onthisoccasion,Jean'sdisturbancewasveryperceptible.

"Iwillcomebackdirectly,"hesaidtotheCure,"Iwanttospeaktoyou."

Heturnedabruptlyaway.TheAbbeConstantinhadnotevenhadtimetogiveLoulouhispieceofsugar,orratherhispiecesofsugar,forhehadputfiveorsixinhispocket,consideringthatLoulouhadwelldeservedthisfeastbytenlongdays'march,andascoreofnightspassedundertheopensky.

Besides,sinceMrs.ScotthadlivedatLongueval,Loulouhadveryoftenhadseveralpiecesofsugar;theAbbeConstantinhadbecomeextravagant,prodigal;hefelthimselfamillionaire,thesugarforLoulouwasoneof

hisfollies.Oneday,even,hehadbeenonthepointofaddressingtoLoulouhiseverlastinglittlespeech:

"ThiscomesfromthenewmistressesofLongueval;prayforthemto-night."

Itwasthreeo'clockwhenJeanarrivedatthevicarage,andtheCuresaid,immediately:

"Youtoldmethatyouwantedtospeaktome;whatisitabout?"

"Aboutsomething,mydeargodfather,whichwillsurpriseyou,willgrieveyou--"

"Grieveme!"

"Yes,andwhichgrievesme,too--Ihavecometobidyoufarewell."

"Farewell!youaregoingaway?"

"Yes,Iamgoingaway."

"When?"

"To-day,intwohours."

"Intwohours?But,mydearboy,youweregoingtodineatthecastleto-night."

"IhavejustwrittentoMrs.Scotttoexcuseme.Iampositivelyobligedtogo."

"Directly?"

"Directly."


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"Andwhereareyougoing?"

"ToParis."

"ToParis!Whythissuddendetermination?"

"Notsoverysudden!Ihavethoughtaboutitforalongtime."

"Andyouhavesaidnothingaboutittome!Jean,somethinghashappened.Youareaman,andIhavenolongertherighttotreatyouasachild;butyouknowhowmuchIloveyou;ifyouhavevexations,troubles,whynottellthemtome?Icouldperhapsadviseyou.Jean,whygotoParis?"

"Ididnotwishtotellyou,itwillgiveyoupain;butyouhavetherighttoknow.IamgoingtoParistoasktobeexchangedintoanotherregiment."

"Intoanotherregiment!ToleaveSouvigny!"

"Yes,thatisjustit;ImustleaveSouvignyforashorttime,foralittlewhileonly;buttoleaveSouvignyisnecessary,itiswhatIwishaboveallthings."

"Andwhataboutme,Jean,doyounotthinkofme?Alittlewhile!Alittlewhile!Butthatisallthatremainstomeoflife,alittlewhile.Andduringtheselastdays,thatIowetothegraceofGod,itwasmyhappiness,yes,Jean,myhappiness,tofeelyouhere,nearme,andnowyouaregoingaway!Jean,waitalittlepatiently,itcannotbeforverylongnowfor.WaituntilthegoodGodhascalledmetohimself,waittillIshallbegone,tomeetthere,athisside,yourfatherandyourmother.Donotgo,Jean,donotgo."

"Ifyouloveme,Iloveyou,too,andyouknowitwell."

"Yes,Iknowit."

"IhavejustthesameaffectionforyounowthatIhadwhenIwasquitelittle,whenyoutookmetoyourself,whenyoubroughtmeup.Myhearthasnotchanged,willneverchange.Butifduty--ifhonor--obligemetogo?"

"Ah,ifitisduty,ifitishonor,Isaynothingmore,Jean,thatstandsbeforeall!--all!--all!Ihavealwaysknownyouagoodjudgeofyourduty,yourhonor.Go,myboy,go,Iaskyounothingmore,Iwishtoknownomore."

"ButIwishtotellyouall,"criedJean,vanquishedbyhisemotion,"anditisbetterthatyoushouldknowall.Youwillstayhere,youwillreturntothecastle,youwillseeheragain--her!"

"Seeher!Who?"

"Bettina!"

"Bettina?"

"Iadoreher,Iadoreher!"

"Oh,mypoorboy!"


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"Pardonmeforspeakingtoyouofthesethings;butItellyouasIwouldhavetoldmyfather."

"Andthen,Ihavenotbeenabletospeakofittoanyone,anditstifledme;yes,itisamadnesswhichhasseizedme,whichhasgrownuponme,littlebylittle,againstmywill,foryouknowvery-well--MyGod!ItwasherethatIbegantoloveher.Youknow,whenshecameherewithhersister--withthelittle'rouleaux'offrancs--herhairfelldown--andthentheevening,themonthofMary!ThenIwaspermittedtoseeherfreely,familiarly,andyou,yourself,spoketomeconstantlyofher.Youpraisedhersweetness,hergoodness.Howoftenhaveyoutoldmethattherewasnooneintheworldbetterthansheis!"

"AndIthoughtit,andIthinkitstill.AndnoonehereknowsherbetterthanIdo,foritisIalonewhohaveseenherwiththepoor.Ifyouonlyknewhowtender,andhowgoodsheis!Neitherwretchednessnorsufferingrepulseher.But,mydearboy,Iamwrongtotellyouallthis."

"No,no,Iwillseehernomore,Ipromiseyou;butIliketohearyouspeakofher."

"Inyourwholelife,Jean,youwillnevermeetabetterwoman,norone

whohasmoreelevatedsentiments.Tosuchapoint,thatoneday--shehadtakenmewithherinanopencarriage,fulloftoys--shewastakingthesetoystoapoorsicklittlegirl,andwhenshegavethemtoher,tomakethepoorlittlethinglaugh,toamuseher,shetalkedsoprettilytoherthatIthoughtofyou,andIsaidtomyself,Irememberitnow,'Ah,ifshewerepoor!'"

"Ah!ifshewerepoor,butsheisnot."

"Oh,no!Butwhatcanyoudo,mypoorchild!Ifitgivesyoupaintoseeher,tolivenearher;aboveall,ifitwillpreventyousuffering--go,go--andyet,andyet--"

Theoldpriestbecamethoughtful,lethisheadfallbetweenhishands,andremainedsilentforsomemoments;thenhecontinued:

"Andyet,Jean,doyouknowwhatIthink?IhaveseenagreatdealofMademoiselleBettinasinceshecametoLongueval.Well--whenIreflect--itdidnotastonishmethatanyoneshouldbeinterestedinyou,foritseemedsonatural--butshetalkedalways,yes,alwaysofyou."

"Ofme?"

"Yes,ofyou,andofyourfatherandmother;shewascurioustoknowhowyoulived.Shebeggedmetoexplaintoherwhatasoldier'slifewas,thelifeofatruesoldier,wholovedhisprofession,andperformedhis

dutiesconscientiously."

"Itisextraordinary,sinceyouhavetoldmethis,recollectionscrowduponme,athousandlittlethingscollectandgroupthemselvestogether.TheyreturnedfromHavreyesterdayatthreeo'clock.Well!anhouraftertheirarrivalshewashere.Anditwasofyouofwhomshespokedirectly.Sheaskedifyouhadwrittentome,ifyouhadnotbeenill,whenyouwouldarrive,atwhathour,iftheregimentwouldpassthroughthevillage?"


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"Itisuselessatthismoment,mydeargodfather,"saidJean,"torecallallthesememories."

"No,itisnotuseless.Sheseemedsopleased,sohappyeven,thatsheshouldseeyouagain!Shewouldmakequiteafeteofthedinnerthisevening.Shewouldintroduceyoutoherbrother-in-law,whohascomeback.Thereisnooneelseinthehouseatthismoment,notasinglevisitor.Sheinsistedstronglyonthispoint,andIrememberherlastwords--shewasthere,onthethresholdofthedoor:

"'Therewillbeonlyfiveofus,'shesaid,'youandMonsieurJean,mysister,mybrother-in-law,andmyself.'

"Andthensheadded,laughing,'Quiteafamilyparty.'

"Withthesewordsshewent,shealmostranaway.Quiteafamilyparty!DoyouknowwhatIthink,Jean?Doyouknow?"

"Youmustnotthinkthat,youmustnot."

"Jean,Ibelievethatshelovesyou."

"AndIbelieveit,too."

"You,too!"

"WhenIlefther,threeweeksago,shewassoagitated,somoved!Shesawmesadandunhappy,shewouldnotletmego.Itwasatthedoorofthecastle.Iwasobligedtotearmyself,yes,literallytearmyselfaway.Ishouldhavespoken,burstout,toldherall.AfterIhadgoneafewsteps,Istoppedandturned.Shecouldnolongerseeme,Iwaslostinthedarkness;butIcouldseeher.Shestoodtheremotionless,hershouldersandarmsbare,intherain,hereyesfixedonthewaybywhichIhadgone.PerhapsIammadtothinkthat.Perhapsitwasonlyafeelingofpity.Butno,itwassomethingmorethanpity,fordoyouknowwhatshedidthenextmorning?Shecameatfiveo'clock,inthemostfrightfulweather,toseemepasswiththeregiment--andthen--the

wayshebademeadieu--oh,myfriend,mydearoldfriend!"

"Butthen,"saidthepoorCure,completelybewildered,completelyataloss,"butthen,Idonotunderstandyouatall.Ifyouloveher,Jean,andifshelovesyou?"

"Butthatis,aboveall,thereasonwhyImustgo.IfitwereonlyI,ifIwerecertainthatshehasnotperceivedmylove,certainthatshehasnotbeentouchedbyit,Iwouldstay,Iwouldstay--fornothingbutforthesweetjoyofseeingher,andIwouldloveherfromafar,withoutanyhope,fornothingbutthehappinessoflovingher.Butno,shehasunderstoodtoowell,andfarfromdiscouragingme--thatiswhatforcesmetogo."

"No,Idonotunderstandit!Iknowwell,mypoorboy,wearespeakingofthingsinwhichIamnogreatscholar,butyouarebothgood,young,andcharming;youloveher,shewouldloveyou,andyouwillnot!"

"Andhermoney!hermoney!"

"Whatmattershermoney?Ifitisonlythat,isitbecauseofhermoneythatyouhavelovedher?Itisratherinspiteofhermoney.Yourconscience,myson,wouldbequiteatpeacewithregardtothat,andthat


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wouldsuffice."

"No,thatwouldnotsuffice.Tohaveagoodopinionofone'sselfisnotenough;thatopinionmustbesharedbyothers."

"Oh,Jean!Amongallwhoknowyou,whocandoubtyou?"

"Whoknows?Andthenthereisanotherthingbesidesthisquestionofmoney,anotherthingmoreseriousandmoregrave.Iamnotthehusbandsuitedtoher."

"Andwhocouldbemoreworthythanyou?"

"Thequestiontobeconsideredisnotmyworth;wehavetoconsiderwhatsheisandwhatIam,toaskwhatoughttobeherlife,andwhatoughttobemylife."

"Oneday,Paul--youknowhehasratherabluntwayofsayingthings,butthatverybluntnessoftenplacesthoughtsmuchmoredistinctlybeforeus--Paulwasspeakingofher;hedidnotsuspectanything;ifhehad,heisgood-natured,hewouldnothavespokenthus--well,hesaidtome:

"'Whatsheneedsisahusbandwhowouldbeentirelydevotedtoher,toheralone,ahusbandwhowouldhavenoothercarethantomakeher

existenceaperpetualholiday,ahusbandwhowouldgivehimself,hiswholelife,inreturnforhermoney.'

"Youknowme;suchahusbandIcannot,Imustnotbe.Iamasoldier,andshallremainone.IfthechancesofmycareersentmesomedaytoagarrisoninthedepthsoftheAlps,orinsomealmostunknownvillageinAlgeria,couldIaskhertofollowme?CouldIcondemnhertothelifeofasoldier'swife,whichisinsomedegreethelifeofasoldierhimself?Thinkofthelifewhichsheleadsnow,ofallthatluxury,ofallthosepleasures!"

"Yes,"saidtheAbbe,"thatismoreseriousthanthequestionofmoney."

"Soseriousthatthereisnohesitationpossible.DuringthethreeweeksthatIpassedaloneinthecamp,Ihavewellconsideredallthat;Ihavethoughtofnothingelse,andlovingherasIdolove,thereasonmustindeedbestrongwhichshowsmeclearlymyduty.Imustgo,Imustgofar,veryfaraway,asfaraspossible.Ishallsuffermuch,butImustnotseeheragain!Imustnotseeheragain!"

Jeansankonachairnearthefireplace.Heremainedtherequiteoverpoweredwithhisemotion.Theoldpriestlookedathim.

"Toseeyousuffer,mypoorboy!Thatsuchsufferingshouldfalluponyou!Itistoocruel,toounjust!"

Atthatmomentsomeoneknockedgentlyatthedoor.

"Ah!"saidtheCure,"donotbeafraid,Jean.Iwillsendthemaway."

TheAbbewenttothedoor,openedit,andrecoiledasifbeforeanunexpectedapparition.

ItwasBettina.InamomentshehadseenJean,andgoingdirecttohim:

"You!"criedshe."Oh,howgladIam!"


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Herose.Shetookhishands,andaddressingtheCure,shesaid:

"Ibegyourpardon,MonsieurleCure,forgoingtohimfirst.You,Isawyesterday,andhim,notforthreewholeweeks,notsinceacertainnight,whenheleftourhouse,sadandsuffering."

ShestillheldJean'shands.Hehadneitherpowertomakeamovementnortoutterasound.

"Andnow,"continuedBetting,"areyoubetter?No,notyet,Icansee,stillsad.Ah,Ihavedonewelltocome!Itwasaninspiration!However,itembarrassesmealittle,itembarrassesmeagreatdeal,tofindyouhere.YouwillunderstandwhywhenyouknowwhatIhavecometoaskofyourgodfather."

Sherelinquishedhishands,andturningtowardtheAbbe,said:

"Ihavecometobegyoutolistentomyconfession--yes,myconfession.Butdonotgoaway,MonsieurJean;Iwillmakemyconfessionpublicly.Iamquitewillingtospeakbeforeyou,andnowIthinkofit,itwillbebetterthus.Letussitdown,shallwe?"

Shefeltherselffullofconfidenceanddaring.Sheburnedwithfever,

butwiththatfeverwhich,onthefieldofbattle,givestoasoldierardor,heroism,anddisdainofdanger.TheemotionwhichmadeBettina'sheartbeatquickerthanusualwasahighandgenerousemotion.Shesaidtoherself:

"Iwillbeloved!Iwilllove!Iwillbehappy!Iwillmakehimhappy!Andsincehehasnotsufficientcouragetodoit,Imusthaveitforboth.Imustmarchalone,myheadhigh,andmyheartatease,totheconquestofourlove,totheconquestofourhappiness!"

FromherfirstwordsBettinahadgainedovertheAbbeandJeanacompleteascendancy.Theylethersaywhatsheliked,theyletherdoassheliked,theyfeltthatthehourwassupreme;theyunderstoodthatwhatwas

happeningwouldbedecisive,irrevocable,butneitherwasinapositiontoforesee.

Theysatdownobediently,almostautomatically;theywaited,theylistened.Alone,ofthethree,Bettinaretainedhercomposure.Itwasinacalmandevenvoicethatshebegan.

"Imusttellyoufirst,MonsieurleCure,tosetyourconsciencequiteatrest,ImusttellyouthatIamherewiththeconsentofmysisterandmybrother-in-law.TheyknowwhyIhavecome;theyknowwhatIamabouttodo.Theynotonlyknow,buttheyapprove.Thatissettled,isitnot?Well,whatbringsmehereisyourletter,MonsieurJean,thatletterinwhichyoutellmysisterthatyoucannotdinewithusthisevening,and

thatyouarepositivelyobligedtoleavehere.Thisletterhasunsettledallmyplans.Ihadintended,thisevening--ofcoursewiththepermissionofmysisterandbrother-in-law--Ihadintended,afterdinner,totakeyouintothepark,toseatmyselfwithyouonabench;Iwaschildishenoughtochoosetheplacebeforehand."

"ThereIshouldhavedeliveredalittlespeech,wellprepared,wellstudied,almostlearnedbyheart,forsinceyourdepartureIhavescarcelythoughtofanythingelse;Irepeatittomyselffrommorningtonight.ThatiswhatIhadproposedtodo,andyouunderstandthatyour


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lettercausedmemuchembarrassment.Ireflectedalittle,andthoughtthatifIaddressedmylittlespeechtoyourgodfatheritwouldbealmostthesameasifIaddressedittoyou.SoIhavecome,MonsieurleCure,tobegyoutolistentome."

"Iwilllistentoyou,MissPercival,"stammeredtheAbbe.

"Iamrich,MonsieurleCure,Iamveryrich,andtospeakfranklyIlovemywealthverymuch-yes,verymuch.ToitIowetheluxurywhichsurroundsme,luxurywhich,Iacknowledge--itisaconfession--isbynomeansdisagreeabletome.MyexcuseisthatIamstillveryyoung;itwillperhapspassasIgrowolder,butofthatIamnotverysure.Ihaveanotherexcuse;itis,thatifIlovemoneyalittleforthepleasurethatitprocuresme,Iloveitstillmoreforthegoodwhichitallowsmetodo.Iloveit--selfishly,ifyoulike--forthejoyofgiving,butIthinkthatmyfortuneisnotverybadlyplacedinmyhands.Well,MonsieurleCure,inthesamewaythatyouhavethecareofsouls,itseemsthatIhavethecareofmoney.Ihavealwaysthought,'Iwish,aboveallthings,thatmyhusbandshouldbeworthyofsharingthisgreatfortune.IwishtobeverysurethathewillmakeagooduseofitwithmewhileIamhere,andafterme,ifImustleavethisworldfirst.'Ithoughtofanotherthing;Ithought,'HewhowillbemyhusbandmustbesomeoneIcanlove!'Andnow,MonsieurleCure,thisiswheremyconfessionreallybegins.Thereisaman,whoforthelasttwomonths,

hasdoneallhecantoconcealfrommethathelovesme;butIdonotdoubtthatthismanlovesme.Youdoloveme,Jean?"

"Yes,"saidJean,inalowvoice,hiseyescastdown,lookinglikeacriminal,"Idoloveyou!"

"Iknewitverywell,butIwantedtohearyousayit,andnowIentreatyou,donotutterasingleword.Anywordsofyourswouldbeuseless,woulddisturbme,wouldpreventmefromgoingstraighttomyaim,andtellingyouwhatIpositivelyintendtosay.Promisemetostaythere,sittingstill,withoutmoving,withoutspeaking.Youpromiseme?"

"Ipromiseyou."

Bettina,asshewentonspeaking,begantolosealittleofherconfidence,hervoicetrembledslightly.Shecontinued,however,withagayetythatwasalittleforced:

"MonsieurleCure,Idonotblameyouforwhathashappened,yetallthisisalittleyourfault."

"Myfault!"

"Ah!donotspeak,notevenyou.Yes,Irepeatit,yourfault.IamcertainthatyouhavespokenwellofmetoJean,muchtoowell.Perhaps,withoutthat,hewouldnothavethought--Andatthesametimeyouhave

spokenverywellofhimtome.Nottoowell--no,no--butyetverywell!Then,Ihadsomuchconfidenceinyou,thatIbegantolookathim,andexamine,himwithalittlemoreattention.Ibegantocomparehimwiththosewho,duringthelastyear,hadaskedmyhand.Itseemedtomethathewasineveryrespectsuperiortothem.

"Atlast,ithappened,onacertainday,orratheronacertainevening-threeweeksago,theeveningbeforeyoulefthere,Jean--IdiscoveredthatIlovedyou.Yes,Jean,Iloveyou!Ientreatyou,donotspeak;staywhereyouare;donotcomenearme.


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"BeforeIcamehere,IthoughtIhadsuppliedmyselfwithagoodstockofcourage,butyouseeIhavenolongermyfinecomposureofaminuteago.ButIhavestillsomethingtotellyou,andthemostimportantofall.Jean,listentomewell;Idonotwishforareplytornfromyouremotion;Iknowthatyouloveme.Ifyoumarryme,Idonotwishittobeonlyforlove;Iwishittobealsoforreason.Duringthefortnightbeforeyoulefthere,youtooksomuchpainstoavoidme,toescapeanyconversation,thatIhavenotbeenabletoshowmyselftoyouasIam.Perhapsthereareinmecertainqualitieswhichyoudonotsuspect.

"Jean,Iknowwhatyouare,IknowtowhatIshouldbindmyselfinmarryingyou,andIshouldbeforyounotonlythelovingandtenderwoman,butthecourageousandconstantwife.Iknowyourentirelife;yourgodfatherhasrelatedittome.Iknowwhyyoubecameasoldier;Iknowwhatduties,whatsacrifices,thefuturemaydemandfromyou.Jean,donotsupposethatIshallturnyoufromanyoftheseduties,fromanyofthesesacrifices.IfIcouldbedisappointedwithyouforanything,itwouldbe,perhaps,forthisthought--oh,youmusthavehadit!--thatIshouldwishyoufree,andquitemyown,thatIshouldaskyoutoabandonyourcareer.Never!never!Understandwell,Ishallneverasksuchathingofyou.

"AyounggirlwhomIknowdidthatwhenshemarried,andshedidwrong.

Iloveyou,andIwishyoutobejustwhatyouare.Itisbecauseyoulivedifferentlyfrom,andbetterthan,thosewhohavebeforedesiredmeforawife,thatIdesireyouforahusband.Ishouldloveyouless--perhapsIshouldnotloveyouatall,thoughthatwouldbeverydifficult--ifyouweretobegintoliveasallthoselivewhomIwouldnothave.WhenIcanfollowyou,Iwillfollowyou;whereveryouarewillbemyduty,whereveryouarewillbemyhappiness.Andifthedaycomeswhenyoucannottakeme,thedaywhenyoumustgoalone,well!Jean,onthatday,Ipromiseyoutobebrave,andnottakeyourcouragefromyou.

"Andnow,MonsieurleCure,itisnottohim,itistoyouthatIamspeaking;Iwantyoutoanswerme,nothim.Tellme,ifhelovesme,

andfeelsmeworthyofhislove,woulditbejusttomakemeexpiatesoseverelythefortunethatIpossess?Tellme,shouldhenotagreetobemyhusband?"

"Jean,"saidtheoldpriest,gravely,"marryher.Itisyourduty,anditwillbeyourhappiness!"

JeanapproachedBettina,tookherinhisarms,andpresseduponherbrowthefirstkiss.

Bettinagentlyfreedherself,andaddressingtheAbbe,said:

"Andnow,Monsieurl'Abbe,Ihavestillonethingtoaskyou.Iwish--

Iwish--"

"Youwish?"

"Pray,MonsieurleCure,embraceme,too."

Theoldpriestkissedherpaternallyonbothcheeks,andthenBettinacontinued:

"Youhaveoftentoldme,MonsieurleCure,thatJeanwasalmostlikeyour


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ownson,andIshallbealmostlikeyourowndaughter,shallInot?Soyouwillhavetwochildren,thatisall."

...........................

Amonthafter,onthe12thofSeptember,atmid-day,Bettina,inthesimplestofwedding-gowns,enteredthechurchofLongueval,while,placedbehindthealtar,thetrumpetsofthe9thArtilleryrangjoyouslythroughthearchesoftheoldchurch.

NancyTurnerhadbeggedforthehonorofplayingtheorganonthissolemnoccasion,forthepoorlittleharmoniumhaddisappeared;anorgan,withresplendentpipes,roseinthegalleryofthechurch--itwasMissPercival'sweddingpresenttotheAbbeConstantin.

TheoldCuresaidmass,JeanandBettinakneltbeforehim,hepronouncedthebenediction,andthenremainedforsomemomentsinprayer,hisarmsextended,callingdown,withhiswholesoul,theblessingsofHeavenonhistwochildren.

ThenfloatedfromtheorganthesamereverieofChopin'swhichBettinahadplayedthefirsttimethatshehadenteredthatlittlevillagechurch,wherewastobeconsecratedthehappinessofherlife.

AndthistimeitwasBettinawhowept.

ETEXTEDITOR'SBOOKMARKS:

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L'Abbe Constantin — Volume 3 by Halevy, Ludovic, 1834-1908

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