His ecclesiastical education had imbued Julien with very rigorous ideas as to the careful and reserved behavior which should be maintained between the sexes, and his intercourse with the world had been too infrequent for the idea to have been modified in any appreciable degree.

It was natural, therefore, that this walk across the fields in the company of Reine should assume an exaggerated importance in his eyes.

He felt himself troubled and yet happy in the chance afforded him to become more closely acquainted with this young girl, toward whom a secret sympathy drew him more and more.

But he did not know how to begin conversation, and the more he cudgelled his brains to find a way of opening the attack, the more he found himself at sea.

Once more Reine came to his assistance.
"Well, Monsieur de Buxieres," said she, "do matters go more to your liking now?
You have acted most generously toward Claudet, and he ought to be pleased." "Has he spoken to you, then ?" "No; not himself, but good news, like bad, flies fast, and all the villagers are singing your praises." "I only did a very simple and just thing," replied Julien.
"Precisely, but those are the very things that are the hardest to do.
And according as they are done well or ill, so is the person that does them judged by others." "You have thought favorably of me then, Mademoiselle Vincart," he ventured, with a timid smile.
"Yes; but my opinion is of little importance.