Then he lowered his eyes and fixed them upon her, but she was so disturbed she could not tell whether his glance was harsh or gentle; at all events it was only for a moment, for quickly regarding the Holy Sacrament, his expression was lost in the light which came from the great golden vessel.

The censers still swung back and forth with a measured rhythm, while a little blue cloud mounted in the air.
But Angelique's heart now beat so rapidly she could scarcely keep still.
Behind the canopy she had just seen a chaplain, his fingers covered with a scarf, who was carrying the mitre as devoutly as if it were a sacred object, Saint Agnes flying heavenward with the two angels, the work of her hands, and into each stitch of which she had put such deep love.
Then, among the laymen who followed, in the midst of functionaries, of officers, of magistrates, she recognised Felicien in the front rank, slight and graceful, with his curly hair, his rather large but straight nose, and his black eyes, the expression of which was at the same time proud and gentle.

She expected him; she was not at all surprised to find him transformed into a prince; her heart simply was overflowing with joy.

To the anxious look which he gave her, as of imploring forgiveness for his falsehood, she replied by a lovely smile.
"But look!" exclaimed Hubertine, astonished at what she saw, "is not that the young man who came to our house about the mitre ?" She had also recognised him, and was much disturbed when, turning towards the young girl, she saw the latter transfigured, in ecstacy, avoiding a reply.
"Then he did not tell us the truth about himself?
But why?
Do you know the reason?
Tell me, my dear, do you know who this young man is ?" Yes, perhaps in reality she did know.

An inner voice answered all these questions.