"Weary of the precarious and hazardous life which I lead, I would leave for Austria, and rejoin the service.

A uniform is the only garb which can hide poverty honorably." Jeanne looked at him with anguish; and making an effort said: "Then, in any case, for me it is abandonment ?" And falling upon a seat, she hid her face in her hands.

Panine remained silent for a moment.

The young girl's, grief, which he knew to be sincere, troubled him more than he wished to show.

He had loved Mademoiselle de Cernay, and he loved her still.