I felt her arm trembling under mine while she was intrusting me with a few trifling errands for Paris.

At the moment of parting, and as I was pressing her hand with effusion, she detained me gently: "Well! sir," she said in a feeble voice, "God did not bless our wisdom." "Our hearts are open to Him, madam; He must have read our sincerity; He sees how much I am suffering, and I humbly hope He may forgive me!" "Do not doubt it--do not doubt it," she replied in a broken voice; "but she?
she!--ah! poor child!" "Have pity on her, madam.

Do not forsake her.

Farewell!" I left her hastily, and I started, but instead of going direct to the town, I had myself driven along the abbey road as far as the top of the hills; I requested the coachman to go alone to the town, and to return for me to-morrow morning early at the same place.

I cannot explain to you, my dear friend, the singular and irresistible fancy that I took to spend one last night in that solitude where I spent such quick and happy days, and so recently, mon Dieu! Here I am, then, back in my cell.