motionless, but trembling like a leaf in every limb.

It was only when he reached the top step that he made up his mind how
he would behave. Perhaps after all, the capitaine was right; perhaps
she would not mind it.

"Marie," said he, with a voice that attempted to be cheerful; "this
is an odd place to meet in after such a long absence," and he held
out his hand to her. But only his hand! He offered her no salute.
He did not even kiss her cheek as a brother would have done! Of the
rules of the outside world it must be remembered that poor Marie knew
but little. He had been a brother to her before he had become her
lover.

But Marie took his hand saying, "Yes, it has been very long."

"And now that I have come back," he went on to say, "it seems that we
are all in a confusion together. I never knew such a piece of work.
However, it is all for the best, I suppose."

"Perhaps so," said Marie, still trembling violently, and still
looking upon the ground. And then there was silence between them for
a minute or so.

"I tell you what it is, Marie," said Adolphe at last, dropping her
hand and making a great effort to get through the work before him.
"I am afraid we two have been very foolish. Don't you think we have
now? It seems quite clear that we can never get ourselves married.
Don't you see it in that light?"