He was indignant at Reine's duplicity, and Claudet's cowardly resignation.

The agony caused by Claudet's betrothal was a matter of course, but this love-for-a-stranger episode was an unexpected and mortal wound.

He was seized with violent fits of rage; he was sometimes tempted to go and reproach the young girl with what he called her breach of faith, and then go and throw himself at her feet and avow his own passion.
But the mistrust he had of himself, and his incurable bashfulness, invariably prevented these heroic resolutions from being carried out.

He had so long cultivated a habit of minute, fatiguing criticism upon every inward emotion that he had almost incapacitated himself for vigorous action.
He was in this condition when Claudet came in upon him.

At the noise of the opening door, Julien raised his head, and looked dolefully at his cousin.
"Well ?" said he, languidly.
"Well!" retorted Claudet, bravely, "on thinking over what has been happening during the last month, I have made sure of one thing of which I was doubtful." "Of what were you doubtful ?" returned de Buxieres, quite ready to take offence at the answer.
"I am about to tell you.