But," continued she, with a slight inflection of irony; "doubtless it is not for the purpose of inquiring after my father's health that you have come all the way from Vivey ?" "That is true, Mademoiselle," replied he, coloring.

"What I have to speak to you about is a very delicate matter.

You will excuse me, therefore, if I am somewhat embarrassed.

I beg of you, Mademoiselle, to listen to me with indulgence." "What can he be coming to ?" thought Reine, wondering why he made so many preambles before beginning.

And, at the same time, her heart began to beat violently.
Julien took the course taken by all timid people after meditating for a long while on the best way to prepare the young girl for the communication he had taken upon himself to make--he lost his head and inquired abruptly: "Mademoiselle Reine, do you not intend to marry ?" Reine started, and gazed at him with a frightened air.
"I!" exclaimed she, "Oh, I have time enough and I am not in a hurry." Then, dropping her eyes: "Why do you ask that ?" "Because I know of some one who loves you and who would be glad to marry you." She became very pale, took up one of the empty pods, twisted it nervously around her finger without speaking.
"Some one belonging to our neighborhood ?" she faltered, after a few moments' silence.
"Yes; some one whom you know, and who is not a recent arrival here.