Do you remember the first conversation we had together concerning Reine?
You spoke of her with so much earnestness that I then suspected you of being in love with her." "I--I--hardly remember," faltered Julien, coloring.
"In that case, my memory is better than yours, Monsieur de Buxieres.
To-day, my suspicions have become certainties.

You are in love with Reine Vincart!" "I ?" faintly protested his cousin.
"Don't deny it, but rather, give me your confidence; you will not be sorry for it.

You love Reine, and have loved her for a long while.
You have succeeded in hiding it from me because it is hard for you to unbosom yourself; but, yesterday, I saw it quite plainly.

You dare not affirm the contrary!" Julien, greatly agitated, had hidden his face in his hands.

After a moment's silence, he replied, defiantly: "Well, and supposing it is so?
What is the use of talking about it, since Reine's affections are placed elsewhere ?" "Oh! that's another matter.