He would once more drink of the intoxication of her beauty, and then he would go and shut himself up at Vivey, after burying at La Thuiliere all his dreams and profane desires.
But, even while the courage of this immolation of his youthful love was strong within him, he could not prevent a dim feeling of hope from crossing his mind.

Claudet was not certain that he was beloved; and possibly Reine's answer would be a refusal.

Then he should have a free field.
By a very human, but very illogical impulse, Julien de Buxieres had hardly concluded the arrangement with Claudet which was to strike the fatal blow to his own happiness when he began to forestall the possibilities which the future might have in store for him.

The odor of the wild mint and meadow-sweet, dotting the banks of the stream, again awoke vague, happy anticipations.

Longing to reach Reine Vincart's presence, he hastened his steps, then stopped suddenly, seized with an overpowering panic.