vowing that she should never have a rival in his heart: but Henri was
young, Louise two hundred _miles_ off, and Annette only two _steps_.

Gerval, to keep away all aspirants, gave it out that they were
betrothed, and especially informed Louis, the dismissed swain, of this
agreement, who, in consequence thereof, immediately left Lyons. Henri's
time, meanwhile, was passing away; he had received some very tender
letters from Louise, and had written to her, but less frequently than
he would have done if Annette had not occupied his leisure hours.
Having, however, received no intelligence from Verny for more than
three months, he began to be disquieted, and determined to leave Gerval,
notwithstanding all Annette's attractions. To be sure, he had found
her very pretty and agreeable--he had romped and flirted with her--but
had never, for a moment, thought of marrying her, and had, strictly
speaking, been faithful to Louise. Judge then of his surprise, when, one
night, Gerval returned home half-drunk, and asked them, if they were
not beginning to think of the wedding. Annette threw herself into her
father's arms; Henri, pale as death, hid his face with his hands, and
knew not how to articulate a refusal; and Gerval, at the sight of this
confusion, burst out into an uncontrollable fit of laughter; "You put me
in mind," said he, at last, "of one of those _ninnies_ of lovers on
the stage, who throw themselves on their knees before their mistresses,
as if they were idols. Come, my lad, embrace your betrothed--exchange
rings--and long live joy, for it costs nothing." The words "_exchange
rings_" restored Henri to his senses, for he thought he beheld his
beloved Louise, amid her tears, softly exclaim, "Dear Henri, what will
become of me without you?" And this ring, too, which was asked from him,
was the self-same one that he had received from her!--He immediately
addressed Gerval in a firm, yet touching, tone of voice, and, having
thanked him, told him that he should never forget his friendship and his