I
asked you for three years. Fifteen months have gone, and I am no
better off than on the first day. When this accursed war broke out,
all my arrangements were made. I was certain to rapidly accumulate
a sufficient fortune to enable me to ask for your hand without being
refused. Whereas now--"

"Well?"

"Now every thing is changed. The future is so uncertain, that no
one wishes to venture their capital. Marcolet himself, who certainly
does not lack boldness, and who believes firmly in the success of our
enterprise, was telling me yesterday, 'There is nothing to be done
just now: we must wait.'"

There was in his voice such an intensity of grief, that the girl
felt the tears coming to her eyes.

"We will wait then," she said, attempting to smile.

But M. de Tregars shook his head.

"Is it possible?" he said. "Do you, then, think that I do not know
what a life you lead?"

Mlle. Gilberte looked up.

"Have I ever complained?" she asked proudly.

"No. Your mother and yourself, you have always religiously kept the
secret of your tortures; and it was only a providential accident
that revealed them to me. But I learned every thing at last. I know
that she whom I love exclusively and with all the power of my soul is
subjected to the most odious despotism, insulted, and condemned to
the most humiliating privations. And I, who would give my life for
her a thousand times over,--I can do nothing for her. Money raises
between us such an insuperable obstacle, that my love is actually an
offence. To hear from her, I am driven to accept accomplices. If I
obtain from her a few moments of conversation, I run the risk of
compromising her maidenly reputation."

Deeply affected by his emotion:

"At least," said Mlle. Gilberte, "you succeeded in delivering me
from M. Costeclar."

"Yes, I was fortunately able to find weapons against that scoundrel.
But can I find some against all others that may offer? Your father
is very rich; and the men are numerous for whom marriage is but a
speculation like any other."

"Would you doubt me?"

"Ah, rather would I doubt myself! But I know what cruel trials your
refusal to marry M. Costeclar imposed upon you: I know what a
merciless struggle you had to sustain. Another pretender may come,
and then--No, no, you see that we cannot wait."

"What would you do?"

"I know not. I have not yet decided upon my future course. And yet
Heaven knows what have been the labors of