"'I must go back to Valpinson,' she said; 'for there is nothing I would
not do to keep up the reputation I have managed to make for myself.
My life, your life, my daughter's life--I would give them all, without
hesitation, to protect my reputation."

"This happened--ah! the dates have remained fixed in my mind as if
engraven on bronze--on the 12th October.

"'I cannot remain longer than a month,' she said to me, 'without seeing
you. A month from to-day, that is to say, on 12th November, at three
o'clock precisely, you must be in the forest of Rochepommier, at the Red
Men's Cross-roads. I will be there.'

"And she left Paris. I was in such a state of depression, that I
scarcely felt the pain of parting. The thought of being loved by such a
woman filled me with extreme pride, and, no doubt, saved me from many
an excess. Ambition was rising within me whenever I thought of her. I
wanted to work, to distinguish myself, to become eminent in some way.

"'I want her to be proud of me,' I said to myself, ashamed at being
nothing at my age but the son of a rich father."

Ten times, at least, M. Magloire had risen from his chair, and moved his
lips, as if about to make some objection. But he had pledged himself, in
his own mind, not to interrupt Jacques, and he did his best to keep his
pledge.

"In the meantime," Jacques went on, "the day fixed by the countess was
drawing near. I went down to Boiscoran; and on the appointed day, at the