He enquired how much money was yet wanting to replace the stolen sheep, and found, that it was a sum very little short of all he had about him.

He was perplexed and distressed.

'This sum then,' said he to himself, 'would make this poor family completely happy--it is in my power to give it--to make them completely happy! But what is to become of me ?--how shall I contrive to reach home with the little money that will remain ?' For a moment he stood, unwilling to forego the luxury of raising a family from ruin to happiness, yet considering the difficulties of pursuing his journey with so small a sum as would be left.
While he was in this state of perplexity, the shepherd himself appeared: his children ran to meet him; he took one of them in his arms, and, with the other clinging to his coat, came forward with a loitering step.

His forlorn and melancholy look determined Valancourt at once; he threw down all the money he had, except a very few louis, and bounded away after St.Aubert and Emily, who were proceeding slowly up the steep.
Valancourt had seldom felt his heart so light as at this moment; his gay spirits danced with pleasure; every object around him appeared more interesting, or beautiful, than before.

St.Aubert observed the uncommon vivacity of his countenance: 'What has pleased you so much ?' said he.
'O what a lovely day,' replied Valancourt, 'how brightly the sun shines, how pure is this air, what enchanting scenery!' 'It is indeed enchanting,' said St.Aubert, whom early experience had taught to understand the nature of Valancourt's present feelings.