as possible from her friend. On that I
broke forth; I told her that she did not know me; that without talking
of it, I had resolved to finish my education by working day and night so
as to fit myself to be Jacques' tutor. She looked grave.

"No, Felix," she said, "that cannot be, any more than your priesthood.
I thank you from my heart as a mother, but as a woman who loves you
sincerely I can never allow you to be the victim of your attachment to
me. Such a position would be a social discredit to you, and I could not
allow it. No! I cannot be an injury to you in any way. You, Vicomte
de Vandenesse, a tutor! You, whose motto is 'Ne se vend!' Were you
Richelieu himself it would bar your way in life; it would give the
utmost pain to your family. My friend, you do not know what insult women
of the world, like my mother, can put into a patronizing glance, what
degradation into a word, what contempt into a bow."

"But if you love me, what is the world to me?"

She pretended not to hear, and went on:--

"Though my father is most kind and desirous of doing all I ask, he would
never forgive your taking so humble a position; he would refuse you his
protection. I could not consent to your becoming tutor to the Dauphin
even. You must accept society as it is; never commit the fault of flying
in the face of it. My friend, this rash proposal of--"

"Love," I whispered.

"No, charity," she said, controlling her tears, "this wild idea
enlightens me as to your character; your heart will be your bane. I
shall claim from this moment the right to teach you certain things.
Let my woman's eye see for you sometimes. Yes, from the solitudes of
Clochegourde I mean to share, silently, contentedly, in your successes.
As to a tutor, do not fear; we shall find some good old abbe, some
learned Jesuit, and my father will gladly devote a handsome sum to the
education of the boy who is to bear his name. Jacques is my pride. He
is, however, eleven years old," she added after a pause. "But it is with
him as with you; when I first saw you I took you to be about thirteen."

We now reached the Cassine, where Jacques, Madeleine, and I followed her
about as children follow a mother; but we were in her way; I left her
presently and went into the orchard where Martineau the elder, keeper
of the place, was discussing with Martineau the younger, the bailiff,
whether certain trees ought or ought not to be taken down; they were
arguing the matter as if it co