"They have almost promised me that our marriage shall take place this evening or to-morrow morning."
"What! here in a prison," said Helene, shuddering involuntarily.
"Wherever it may be, Helene, it will bind us together for the rest of our lives."
"But suppose they do not keep their promise to you; suppose they make you set out before I have seen you?"
"Alas!" said Gaston, with a bursting heart, "that is possible, Helene, and it is that I dread."
"Oh, mon Dieu! do you think your departure is so near?"
"You know, Helene, that prisoners are not their own masters; they may be removed at any moment."
"Oh, let them come—let them come; the sooner you are free, the sooner we shall be reunited. It is not necessary that I should be your wife, in order to follow and join you. Do I not know my Gaston's honor, and from this day I look upon him as my husband before God. Oh, go proudly, Gaston, for while these thick and gloomy walls surround you I tremble for your life. Go, and in a week we shall be reunited; reunited, with no separation to threaten us, no one to act as a spy on us—reunited forever."
The door opened.
"Great Heaven, already!" said Helene.