perplexing circumstances, by hastening to the farm here without
delay. Pierre has orders to wait till you are ready, and will
drive you back after dinner. I really am in such confusion that I
hardly know what I am about. M. Dubreuil has gone to the
wool-fair at Pontoise; I have, therefore, no one to turn to for
advice and assistance but you and Marie. Clara sends her best
love to her very dear adopted sister, and anxiously expects her
arrival. Try to be with us by eleven o'clock, to luncheon.

"Ever yours most sincerely,
"F. DUBREUIL."

"What can possibly be the matter?" asked Madame Georges of
Fleur-de-Marie; "fortunately the tone of Madame Dubreuil's letter is not
calculated to cause alarm."

"Do you wish me to accompany you, madame?" asked the Goualeuse.

"Why, that would scarcely be prudent, so cold as it is. But, upon second
thoughts," continued Madame Georges, "I think you may venture if you
wrap yourself up very warm; it will serve to raise your spirits, and
possibly the short ride may do you good."

The Goualeuse did not immediately reply, but, after a few minutes'
consideration, she ventured to say:

"But, madame, M. le Cure expects me this evening, at five o'clock, at
the rectory."

"But I promise you to be back in good time for you to keep your
engagement; now will you go?"

"Oh, thank you, madame! Indeed, I shall be so delighted to see Mlle.
Clara."

"What! again?" uttered Madame Georges, in a tone of gentle reproach.
"Mlle. Clara? She does not speak so distantly to you when she addresses
you."

"Oh, no, madame!" replied the poor girl, casting down her eyes, while a
bright flush rose even to her temples; "but there is so great a
difference between us that--"

"Dear Marie! you are cruel and unkind thus needlessly to torment
yourself. Have you so soon forgotten how I chided you but just now for
the very same fault? There, drive away all such foolish thoughts! dress
yourself as quickly as you can, and pray wrap up very carefully. If we
are quick, we may reach Arnouville before eleven o'clock."

Then, leaving Fleur-de-Marie to perform the duties of her simple toilet,
Madame Georges retired to her own chamber, first dismissing Claudine
with an intimation to Pierre that herself and niece would be ready to
start almost immediately.

Half an hour afterwards, Madame Georges and Marie were on th