Bertrand, having left the cabriolet, came forward to pay his respects to Denise.
“Bertrand too!” she exclaimed; “he has come back!”
“Yes, and it is to him, whom I accused of deserting me, that I owe my good fortune to-day.”
A few words put Denise in possession of the whole story, and she held out her hand to Bertrand, saying:
“Oh! my heart never doubted his! As if one could cease to love a person because he is unfortunate!” Then suddenly remembering that Auguste had recovered a large part of his property, she exclaimed: “Oh! mon Dieu! then I cannot be your wife!”
“Yes, Denise, you will be my wife,” said Auguste, taking her hand, “for you are the only woman who could make me happy, and I cannot doubt the sincerity of your love.”
“But I am only a village girl——”
“Whom I prefer to all the fine ladies of the city.”
“I shall be awkward in society.”
“I have learned the worth of society, and I care very little for its judgments; besides, when it knows you, my Denise, it will be compelled to do you justice.”