I have always respected him, worthy man that he is; but love him I cannot.

I will marry him, I will be faithful to him to the day of my death, but he will be unhappy, and so shall I." Boltay sighed; and in a few moments he said, in a scarcely audible voice, "Then, don't marry him." The tears flowed involuntarily from the eyes of the two old people.

They loved the young folks as if they were their own children; and oh, how they would have liked to have seen them happy together! And Fate willed otherwise! At last Boltay brushed the sweat off his forehead with his hand, and said, with a great effort at composure, "Get up, my girl! Overrule your heart I cannot; it would be wrong.

He certainly could not accept your hand without your love.

No, let us talk of something else.