"You broke the heart of that good girl, Blanchette."
"No, Gabrielle; not intentionally, at least. Moreover, I think that the heart of that young lady is not so very fragile."
"What do you know about it, stupid man? It was broken indeed, but now it is mended again--completely."
"Mended?"
"Yes, and she is to marry Pamphile Lareau."
"Pamphile is dead, Gabrielle."
"No, Jean. He is alive and almost well. For a time it was thought that he would die, but Blanchette brought him back to life, with the aid of the good God. That is what I came to tell you. We thought that you would like to know."
"Thank God!" said Jean. "And thank you, too, Gabrielle. Now there is not a cloud in the sky. What a day, this--the best day of my life! And you came to tell me the good news."
"Yes, and to have a little outing, a little fresh air and exercise--after the convent, you know."
"Gabrielle, I am glad that you did not stay in the convent. It is a refuge, a blessed retreat, for those who are discouraged, for the weary, the sad at heart; but for the young, the strong, the brave, the world is a better place. It was not for you. You had no vocation."