Perhaps, without that, he would not have thought--And at the same time you have spoken very well of him to me.

Not too well--no, no--but yet very well! Then, I had so much confidence in you, that I began to look at him, and examine, him with a little more attention.

I began to compare him with those who, during the last year, had asked my hand.

It seemed to me that he was in every respect superior to them.
"At last, it happened, on a certain day, or rather on a certain evening-three weeks ago, the evening before you left here, Jean--I discovered that I loved you.

Yes, Jean, I love you! I entreat you, do not speak; stay where you are; do not come near me.
"Before I came here, I thought I had supplied myself with a good stock of courage, but you see I have no longer my fine composure of a minute ago.