When Savinien got back he informed the doctor and Ursula that he had signed his articles and was to be at Brest on the 25th.

The doctor asked him to dinner on the 18th, and he passed nearly two whole days in the old man's house.

Notwithstanding much sage advice and many resolutions, the lovers could not help betraying their secret understanding to the watchful eyes of the abbe, Monsieur Bongrand, the Nemours doctor, and La Bougival.
"Children," said the old man, "you are risking your happiness by not keeping it to yourselves." On the fete-day, after mass, during which several glances had been exchanged, Savinien, watched by Ursula, crossed the road and entered the little garden where the pair were practically alone; for the kind old man, by way of indulgence, was reading his newspapers in the pagoda.
"Dear Ursula," said Savinien; "will you make a gift greater than my mother could make me even if--" "I know what you wish to ask me," she said, interrupting him.

"See, here is my answer," she added, taking from the pocket of her apron the box containing the chain made of her hair, and offering it to him with a nervous tremor which testified to her illimitable happiness.

"Wear it," she said, "for love of me.