He is amazed to think that this delicious child's presence has never given him the slightest uneasiness; that he has never thought of any other happiness than that of being near her.

Why should not a love like that he has dreamed of some day spring up in her own heart?
Have they not grown up together?
Is he not the only young man that she knows intimately?
What happiness to become her fiancee! Yes, it was thus that one should love! Hereafter he would flee from all temptations; he would pass all his evenings with the Gerards; he would keep as near as possible to his dear Maria, content to hear her speak, to see her smile; and he would wait with a heart full of tenderness for the moment when she would consent to become his wife.
Oh! the exquisite union of two chaste beings! the adorable kiss of two innocent mouths! Did such happiness really exist?
This beautiful dream warmed the young man's heart, and he reached his home joyous and happy.

He gave a vigorous pull to the bell, climbed quickly up the long flights of stairs and opened the door to their apartment.

But what was this?
His father must have come home very late, for a stream of light shines under the door of his sleeping-room.
"Poor man!" thought Amedee, recalling the scene of the morning.

"He may be ill.