Her first impulse was to run to Uncle Maurice, and thank him on her knees.

Her habitual reserve had given way to a burst of deepest feeling.

It seemed as if gratitude had melted all the ice of that numbed heart.
Being now no longer embarrassed with a secret, the little hunchback could give greater efficacy to his good offices.

Toinette became to him a sister, for whose wants he had a right to provide.

It was the first time since the death of his mother that he had been able to share his life with another.