tainly oppose my plans,
but before long I shall escape from his tyrannical sway, for I shall be
of age."

"Ah, Norbert," returned she sadly, "you are feeding upon vain hopes.
You must be twenty-five years of age before you can marry and give the
shelter of your name to the woman whom you have chosen for your wife."

This was exactly the explanation for which Daumon had been waiting.

"Good again, my young lady," cried he. "And so this is why she came
here. There is some credit in giving a lesson to so apt a pupil."

"It is impossible," cried Norbert, violently agitated; "such an
iniquitous thing cannot be."

"You are mistaken," answered Diana calmly. "Unfortunately I am telling
you exactly how matters stand. The law clearly fixes the age
at twenty-five. During all this time will you remember that a
broken-hearted girl--"

"Why talk to me of law? When I am of age, I shall have plenty of money,"
broke in Norbert; "and do you think that I will tamely submit to my
father's oppression? No, I will wrest his consent from him."

During this conversation the Counsellor was carefully removing the dust
from the knees of his trousers.

"I will pop in suddenly," thought he, "and catch a word or two which
will do away with the necessity of all lengthy explanations."

He suited the action to the word, and appeared suddenly before the
lovers. He was not at all disconcerted at the effect his entrance
produced upon them, and remarked placidly, "I could not find the
sheriff's letter, but I assure you that Widow Rouleau's matter shall be
speedily and satisfactorily arranged."

Diana and Norbert exchanged glances of annoyance at finding their secret
at the mercy of such a man. This evident distrust appeared to wound
Daumon deeply.

"You have a perfect right," remarked he dejectedly, "to say, 'Mind your
own business;' but the fact is, that I hate all kinds of injustice so
much that I always take the side of the weakest, and so, when I come in
and find you deploring your troubles, I say to myself, 'Doubtless here
are two young people made for each other.'"

"You forget yourself," broke in Diana haughtily.

"I beg your pardon," stammered Daumon. "I am but a poor peasant, and
sometimes I speak out too plainly. I meant no harm, and I only hope that
you will forgive me."

Daumon looked at Diana; and as she made no reply, he went on: "'Well,'
says I to myself, 'here are two young folks that have fallen in
love, and have every rig