forget the welcome they gave me. An immense change had
taken place in me during those years of the war. I had learnt to bring
my instincts and desires into harmony with my affections, my reason, and
I had greatly developed my power of acquiring learning.

Edmee was not surprised at my intellectual progress, but she rejoiced at
it. I had shown it in my letters, she said.

My good uncle, the chevalier, now took a real liking for me, and where
formerly natural generosity and family pride had made him adopt me, a
genuine sympathy made him give me his friendship. He did not disguise
from me that his great desire, before falling into the sleep that knows
no waking, was to see me married to Edmee; and when I told him this was
the one wish of my soul, the one thought of my life, he said:

"I know, I know. Everything depends on her, and I think she can no
longer have any reasons for hesitation.... At all events," he added, "I
cannot see any that she could allege at present."

From these words I concluded that he himself had long been favourable to
my suit, and that any obstacle which might exist lay with Edmee. But so
much did I stand in awe of Edmee's sensitive pride and her unspeakable
goodness that I dared not ask her point-blank to decide my fate. M. de
la Marche I knew had left France, and all thought of an engagement on
his part with Edmee was at an end. In a proud struggle to conceal the
poverty of his estate, all his fortune had gone, and he had not been
long in following me to America.

The chevalier insisted on my visiting my property of Roche-Mauprat.
Thanks to my uncle, great improvements had been accomplished in my
absence, and the land was being well cultivated by good tenants. I knew
that I ought not to neglect my duty, and though I had not set foot on
the accursed soil since the day I left it with Edmee, I set out and was
away two days.

I stayed in the gloomy old house and the only remarkable thing about the
visit was that I had a vision of my wicked uncle John Mauprat.

_IV.--My Trial and Happiness_

We had gone on a hunting party one day after my return, and Edmee and I
were separated from the rest. Somehow the old unbridled passions rose up
within me and I succeeded in affronting Edmee with my fierce speech.
Then I hastened away, ashamed and fearful.

I had not gone more than thirty paces when I heard the report of a gun
from the spot where I had left Edmee. I stopped, petrified with horror,
and