She knows nothing of this; but I have watched you both, and though my eyes are growing dim I am not blind." And with that the abbe left me to my thoughts.

It was not the first time that the idea of asking Angela to be my wife had entered my mind.

I loved her from the moment I first set eyes on her, and my love has become a passion.

But I had not been able to see my way.

How could I ask a beautiful, gently nurtured girl to share the lot of a penniless wanderer, even if she could consent to leave Quipai, which I greatly doubted.