To be preferred to all others, even though that preference may lead to no fruition, is in itself a thing enjoyable.
He had believed that Marie had forgotten him,--that she had been captivated either by the effeminate prettiness of his rival, or by his wealth and standing in the world.

He believed all this no more.
He knew now how it was with her and with him, and, let his countenance say what it might to the contrary, he could bring himself to forgive her in his heart.

She had not forgotten him! She had not ceased to love him! There was merit in that which went far with him in excuse of her perfidy.
But what should he do now?
She was not as yet married to Adrian Urmand.

Might there not still be hope; hope for her sake as well as for his own?
He perfectly understood that in his country--nay, for aught he knew to the contrary, in all countries--a formal betrothal was half a marriage.

It was half the ceremony in the eyes of all those concerned; but yet, in regard to that indissoluble bond which would indeed have divided Marie from him beyond the reach of any hope to the contrary, such betrothal was of no effect whatever.
This man whom she did not love was not yet Marie's husband;--need never become so if Marie could only be sufficiently firm in resisting the influence of all her friends.