I would never consent to make myself a burden to a man at a moment when I could not make myself a comfort to him; besides, the time of marriage should be a time of joy, and this is no time for joy.

Again, there is a stronger and sadder reason still.

Did you ever see a young widow, who had not reached her twentieth year?
if so, did you ever see a sadder sight?
Would you unnecessarily doom our dear Marie to that fate! I know you so well, my dear brother, that I do not fear to speak to you of the too probable lot of a brave soldier!" "That is enough!" said Henri, "I am convinced." "Do not say that, Agatha, do not say that," said Marie, springing up and throwing herself into her lover's arms.

"Indeed, indeed, it was not of that I thought.

Though we should never marry, yet were you to fall, your memory should be the same to me as that of a husband.