o to prodigies of economy
and the most severe privations. He professed a worship, they said,
for that gold that had cost him so much; and he would never give the
hand of his daughter to a man who had no money. This last comment
was useless. Above my actions, my thoughts, my hopes, higher than
all, soars my pride. Instantly I saw an abyss opening between me
and her whom I love more than my life, but less than my dignity.
When a man's name is Genost de Tregars, he must support his wife,
were it by breaking stones. And the thought that I owed my fortune
to the woman I married would make me execrate her.

"You must remember, my old friend, that I told you all this at the
time. You thought, too, that it was singularly impertinent, on my
part, thus to flare up in advance, because, certainly a millionaire
does not give his daughter to a ruined nobleman in the pay of
Marcolet, the patent-broker, to a poor devil of an inventor, who is
building the castles of his future upon the solution of a problem
which has been given up by the most brilliant minds.

"It was then that I determined upon an extreme resolution, a
foolish one, no doubt, and yet to which you, the Count de Villegre,
my father's old friend, you have consented to lend yourself.

"I thought that I would address myself to her, to her alone, and
that she would at least know what great, what immense love she had
inspired. I thought I would go to her and tell her, 'This is who
I am, and what I am. For mercy's sake, grant me a respite of three
years. To a love such as mine there is nothing impossible. In
three years I shall be dead, or rich enough to ask your hand. From
this day forth, I give up my task for work of more immediate profit.
The arts of industry have treasures for successful inventors. If
you could only read in my soul, you would not refuse me the delay I
am asking. Forgive me! One word, for mercy's sake, only one! It
is my sentence that I am awaiting.'"

Mlle. Gilberte's thoughts were in too great a state of confusion
to permit her to think of being offended at this extraordinary
proceeding. She rose, quivering, and addressing herself to Mme.
Favoral:

"Come, mother," she said, "come: I feel that I have taken cold.
I must go home and think. To-morrow, yes, to-morrow, we will come
again."

Deep as Mme. Favoral was plunged in her meditations, and a thousand
miles as she was from the actual situation, it was impossible that
she should no