dangers shared; never had mother in her labours been nearer death
for the offspring's sake than had he for Valerie during the days
that were sped and the hours that were but gone. She belonged to
him by the title of those dangers he had been through. What had
Florimond done to establish his claim to her? He had remained
absent during long years, a-warring in a foreign land. With how
many banal loves might not the fellow in that time have strewn his
soldier's path! Garnache knew well how close does Cupid stalk in
the wake of Mars, knew well the way of these gay soldiers and the
lightness of their loves.

Was, then, this fellow to come now and claim her, when perils were
past, when there was naught left to do but lead her to the altar?
Could he be worthy of such a pearl of womanhood, this laggard who,
because a fever touched him, sat him down in an inn within a few
hours' ride of her to rest him, as though the world held no such
woman as Valerie?

And she, herself, by what ties was she bound to him? By the ties
of an old promise, given at an age when she knew not what love meant.
He had talked of it with her, and he knew how dispassionately she
awaited Florimond's return. Florimond might be betrothed to her
- her father and his had encompassed that between them - but no
lover of hers was he.

Thus far did his thoughts journey, and temptation gripped him ever
more and more strongly. And then his manhood and his honour awoke
with a shudder, as awakens a man from an ugly dream. What manner
of fool was he? he asked himself again. Upon what presumptions
did he base his silly musings? Did he suppose that even were there