This appeal to her sincerity renewed all her perplexities and scruples.

She raised her full, glistening eyes to the cure, and replied, after a slight hesitation: "I have a sincere affection for Claudet-and-much esteem." "I understand that," replied the priest, compressing his lips, "but--excuse me if I press the matter--has the engagement you have made with him been determined simply by considerations of affection and suitableness, or by more interior and deeper feelings ?" "Pardon, Monsieur le Cure," returned Reine, coloring, "it seems to me that a sentiment of friendship, joined to a firm determination to prove a faithful and devoted wife, should be, in your eyes as they are in mine, a sufficient assurance that--" "Certainly, certainly, my dear child; and many husbands would be contented with less.

However, it is not only a question of Claudet's happiness, but of yours also.

Come now! let me ask you: is your affection for young Sejournant so powerful that in the event of any unforeseen circumstance happening, to break off the marriage, you would be forever unhappy ?" "Ah!" replied Reine, more embarrassed than ever, "you ask too grave a question, Monsieur le Cure! If it were broken off without my having to reproach myself for it, it is probable that I should find consolation in time." "Very good! Consequently, you do not love Claudet, if I may take the word love in the sense understood by people of the world.

You only like, you do not love him?
Tell me.