For some days she was sad and distressed at my dissimulation, which she could not understand. She asked why I had thus concealed my name. I told her that, knowing false and malignant stories had reached her ears, which showed me in the very worst colours, I had preferred being unknown.
It was hard to convince her, but I finally succeeded in chasing all these unhappy impressions from her mind.
Though Madame Kerouët frowns on me sometimes, our intimacy, which for a time was threatened, has resumed all former charm.
SERVAL, 20th December, 18—.
Marie loves me, she loves me, I can no longer have any doubt. May this day remain ever engraved in my heart!
SERVAL, 30th December, 18—.
What a terrible thing has happened! No, no, a thousand times no; she shall not leave me. Now that I have the right to watch over her, never will I abandon her.
This morning a farm servant came over to the château. He brought me a letter from Marie.
She besought me to come to her instantly.
An hour after I was at the farm.