These one hundred and seventy thousand francs belong to Mademoiselle Claes, who can dispose of them as she sees fit; but I have lent them on a pledge that she will sign a deed securing them to me on her share of the now denuded land of the forest of Waignies." Marguerite turned away her head that her lover might not see the tears that gathered in her eyes.

She knew Emmanuel's purity of soul.

Brought up by his uncle to the practice of the sternest religious virtues, the young man had an especial horror of falsehood: after giving his heart and life to Marguerite Claes he now made her the sacrifice of his conscience.
"Adieu, monsieur," said Balthazar, "I thought you had more confidence in a man who looked upon you with the eyes of a father." After exchanging a despairing look with Marguerite, Emmanuel was shown out by Martha, who closed and fastened the street-door.
The moment the father and daughter were alone Claes said,-- "You love me, do you not ?" "Come to the point, father.

You want this money: you cannot have it." She began to pick up the coins; her father silently helped her to gather them together and count the sum she had dropped; Marguerite allowed him to do so without manifesting the least distrust.

When two thousand ducats were piled on the table, Balthazar said, with a desperate air,-- "Marguerite, I must have that money." "If you take it, it will be robbery," she replied coldly.