But here a fair, pensive face had brightened at sight of him; a lovely countenance, on which circumstances, not nature, had impressed gravity, had sprung back to its natural gayety for a moment, and had thrilled and bewitched the beholder.
The next Sunday he went to church--and there worshipped--whom?
Cupid.
He smarted for his heathenism; for the young ladies went with higher motives, and took no notice of him.

They lowered their long silken lashes over one breviary, and scarcely observed the handsome citizen.
Meantime he, contemplating their pious beauty with earthly eyes, was drinking long draughts of intoxicating passion.

And when after the service they each took an arm of Dr.Aubertin, and he with the air of an admiral convoying two ships choke-full of specie, conducted his precious charge away home, our young citizen felt jealous, and all but hated the worthy doctor.
This went on till he became listless and dejected on the days he did not see them.

Then he asked himself whether he was not a cowardly fool to keep at such a distance.

After all he was a man in authority.