It was, therefore, with real sincerity that he repeated: "I both know you and am delighted to see you.

I ought to have called upon you before now, to thank you for your kind hospitality, but I have had so much to do, and," his face clouding over, "so many annoyances!" "Really ?" said she, softly, gazing pityingly at him; "you must not take offence, but, it is easy to see you have been worried! Your features are drawn and you have an anxious look.

Is it that the air of Vivey does not agree with you ?" "It is not the air," replied Julien, in an irritated tone, "it is the people who do not agree with me.

And, indeed," sighed he, "I do not think I agree any better with them.

But I need not annoy other persons merely because I am annoyed myself! Mademoiselle Vincart, what can I do to be of service to you?
Have you anything to ask me ?" "Not at all!" exclaimed Reine, with a frank smile; "I not only have nothing to ask from you, but I have brought something for you--six hundred francs for wood we had bought from the late Monsieur de Buxieres, during the sale of the Ronces forest." She drew from under her cloak a little bag of gray linen, containing gold, five-franc pieces and bank-notes.