What I say now I would be willing to say everywhere, deploring the harm done by such miserable tricks--which may have hastened your happiness," he added, rather maliciously, "for I see that Madame de Portenduere is with you." "That is all very well, Goupil," said the abbe, "Mademoiselle forgives you; but you must not forget that you came near being her murderer." "Monsieur Bongrand," said Goupil, addressing the justice of peace.

"I shall negotiate to-night for Lecoeur's practice; I hope the reparation I have now made will not injure me with you, and that you will back my petition to the bar and the ministry." Bongrand made a thoughtful inclination of his head; and Goupil left the house to negotiate on the best terms he could for the sheriff's practice.

The others remained with Ursula and did their best to restore the peace and tranquillity of her mind, already much relieved by Goupil's confession.
"You see, my child, that God was not against you," said the abbe.
Minoret came home late from Rouvre.

About nine o'clock he was sitting in the Chinese pagoda digesting his dinner beside his wife, with whom he was making plans for Desire's future.

Desire had become very sedate since entering the magistracy; he worked hard, and it was not unlikely that he would succeed the present procureur du roi at Fontainebleau, who, they said, was to be advanced to Melun.