"Ah! madame, we both love you," said the candid professor, sincerely.

"What are you saying to each other?" asked Celeste, coming up.

"My child," said the pious woman, drawing her god-daughter down to her
and kissing her on the forehead. "He said that you both loved me."

"Do not be angry with my presumption, mademoiselle. Let me do all I
can to prove it," murmured Felix. "Ah! I cannot help it, I was made
this way; injustice revolts me to the soul! Yes, the Saviour of men
was right to promise the future to the meek heart, to the slain lamb!
A man who did not love you, Celeste, must have adored you after that
sublime impulse of yours at table. Ah, yes! innocence alone can
console the martyr. You are a kind young girl; you will be one of
those wives who make the glory and the happiness of a family. Happy be
he whom you will choose!"

"Godmamma, with what eyes do you think Monsieur Felix sees me?"

"He appreciates you, my little angel; I shall pray to God for both of
you."

"If you knew how happy I am that my father can do a service to
Monsieur Thuillier, and how I wish I could be useful to your
brother--"

"In short," said Celeste, laughing, "you love us all."

"Well, yes," replied Felix.