It was a dismal change in his life.
At last, one day, he received three lines from Josephine, requesting him to come and speak to her.

He went over directly, full of vague hopes.

He found her seated pale and languid in a small room on the ground floor.
"What has she been doing to you, dear ?" began she kindly.
"Has she not told you, Madame Raynal ?" "No; she is refractory.

She will tell me nothing, and that makes me fear she is the one in fault." "Oh! if she does not accuse me, I am sure I will not accuse her.

I dare say I am to blame; it is not her fault that I cannot make her love me." "But you can.