"I am," he said, "more fortunate than you; but you are brave, and will forgive me.

To conduct me to my grave,[21] I require a friend--I have none--will you act the part of one ?" [Footnote 21: Pascal conceives that, in wedding Franconnette, he is devoted to death.] Marcel is silent--he muses--a great struggle is in his heart--his eye flashes--his brow is bent strongly--he gazes on Franconnette, and the paleness of death creeps over him--he shakes off his faintness, and tries to smile.

"Since it is her will," he cries, "I will be that friend." Two weeks had passed,--and a wedding train descended the green hill.

In the front of the procession walked the handsome pair.

A triple range of people, from all quarters, extended for more than a league: they were curious to know the fate of Pascal.