It is Mademoiselle Vincart." "Reine ?" The Abbe flung away the pruning-knife and branch that he was cutting, and gazed at Claudet with a stupefied air.

At the same time, his jovial face became shadowed, and his mouth assumed an expression of consternation.
"Yes, indeed, Reine Vincart," repeated Claudet, somewhat vexed at the startled manner of his reverence; "are you surprised at my choice ?" "Excuse me-and-is it all settled ?" stammered the Abbe, with bewilderment, "and--and do you really love each other ?" "Certainly; we agree on that point; and I have come here to arrange with you about having the banns published." "What! already ?" murmured the cure, buttoning and unbuttoning the top of his coat in his agitation, "you seem to be in a great hurry to go to work.

The union of the man and the woman--ahem--is a serious matter, which ought not to be undertaken without due consideration.

That is the reason why the Church has instituted the sacrament of marriage.

Hast thou well considered, my son ?" "Why, certainly, I have reflected," exclaimed Claudet with some irritation, "and my mind is quite made up.