understood. The cruel vision again arose before
her--Maxime, helpless, driven, about in a little carriage by a servant,
like the neighbor whom she used to pity. Had she indeed any duty toward
a brother who for fifteen years had been a stranger to her? Did not
her duty lie where her heart was? Nevertheless, her distress of mind
continued; she still suffered in the struggle.

"Listen, Maxime," she said at last, "give me also time to reflect. I
will see. Be assured that I am very grateful to you. And if you should
one day really have need of me, well, I should no doubt decide to go."

This was all they could make her promise. Felicite, with her usual
vehemence, exhausted all her efforts in vain, while the doctor now
affected to say that she had given her word. Martine brought a cream,
without thinking of hiding her joy. To take away mademoiselle! what an
idea, in order that monsieur might die of grief at finding himself all
alone. And the dinner was delayed, too, by this unexpected incident.
They were still at the dessert when half-past eight struck.

Then Maxime grew restless, tapped the floor with his foot, and declared
that he must go.

At the station, whither they all accompanied him he kissed his sister a
last time, saying:

"Remember!"

"Don't be afraid," declared Felicite, "we are here to remind her of her
promise."

The doctor smiled, and all three, as soon as the train was in motion,
waved their handkerchiefs.

On this day, after accompanying the grandmother to her door, Dr. Pascal
and Clotilde returned peacefully to La Souleiade, and spent a delightful
evening there. The constraint of the past few weeks, the secret
antagonism which had separated them, seemed to have vanished. Never had
it seemed so sweet to them to feel so united, inseparable. Doubtless it
was only this first pang of uneasiness suffered by their affection, this
threatened separation, the postponement of which delighted them. It was
for them like a return to health after an illness, a new hope of life.
They remained for long time in the warm night, under the plane trees,
listening to the crystal murmur of the fountain. And they did not even
speak, so profoundly did they enjoy the happiness of being together.

IV.

Ten days later the household had fallen back into its former state of
unhappiness. Pascal and Clotilde remained entire afternoons without
exchanging a word; and there were continual outbursts of ill-humor. Even
Martin