We shall all live free and happy." Then Miette gently led him on, and they resumed their walk.
"You dearly love your Republic ?" the girl asked, essaying a joke.

"Do you love me as much ?" Her smile was not altogether free from a tinge of bitterness.

She was thinking, perhaps, how easily Silvere abandoned her to go and scour the country-side.

But the lad gravely replied: "You are my wife, to whom I have given my whole heart.

I love the Republic because I love you.