Once more, I ask you, Monsieur le Cure, are you displeased with my choice, or have you anything to say against Mademoiselle Vincart ?" "I?
no, absolutely nothing.

Reine is an exceedingly good girl." "Well, then ?" "Well, my friend, I will go over to-morrow and see your fiancee, and we will talk matters over.

I shall act for the best, in the interests of both of you, be assured of that.

In the meantime, you will both be united this evening in my prayers; but, for to-day, we shall have to stop where we are.

Good-evening, Claudet! I will see you again." With these enigmatic words, he dismissed the young lover, who returned to the chateau, vexed and disturbed by his strange reception.
The moment the door of the presbytery had closed behind Claudet, the Abbe Pernot, flinging to one side all his preparations, began to pace nervously up and down the principal garden-walk.