The old priest looked at him.
"To see you suffer, my poor boy! That such suffering should fall upon you! It is too cruel, too unjust!" At that moment some one knocked gently at the door.
"Ah!" said the Cure, "do not be afraid, Jean.

I will send them away." The Abbe went to the door, opened it, and recoiled as if before an unexpected apparition.
It was Bettina.

In a moment she had seen Jean, and going direct to him: "You!" cried she.

"Oh, how glad I am!" He rose.

She took his hands, and addressing the Cure, she said: "I beg your pardon, Monsieur le Cure, for going to him first.