Besides, since Mrs. Scott had lived at Longueval, Loulou had very often had several pieces of sugar; the Abbe Constantin had become extravagant, prodigal; he felt himself a millionaire, the sugar for Loulou was one of his follies. One day, even, he had been on the point of addressing to Loulou his everlasting little speech:
"This comes from the new mistresses of Longueval; pray for them to- night."
It was three o'clock when Jean arrived at the vicarage, and the Cure said, immediately:
"You told me that you wanted to speak to me; what is it about?"
"About something, my dear godfather, which will surprise you, will grieve you—"
"Grieve me!"
"Yes, and which grieves me, too—I have come to bid you farewell."
"Farewell! you are going away?"
"Yes, I am going away."
"When?"