But, hardly had she analyzed and acknowledged this sensation when she reproached herself for harboring it when she was about to cause Claudet such affliction.
Poor Claudet! what a cruel blow was in store for him! He was so guilelessly in love, and had such unbounded confidence in the success of his projects! Reine was overcome by tender reminiscences.

She had always experienced, as if divining by instinct the natural bonds which united them, a sisterly affection for Claudet.

Since their earliest infancy, at the age when they learned their catechism under the church porch, they had been united in a bond of friendly fellowship.

With Reine, this tender feeling had always remained one of friendship, but, with Claudet, it had ripened into love; and now, after allowing the poor young fellow to believe that his love was reciprocated, she was forced to disabuse him.

It was useless for her to try to find some way of softening the blow; there was none.