"I count on my father," said Odile; "for he is already well disposed towards you. But take care not to do anything that would annoy him. Do not try to see me at Alsheim. Do not try to hurry on the time."
"That glorious time when you will be mine!"
They smiled at each other for the first time.
"I love you so dearly," continued Jean, "that I shall not ask you for the kiss that you would no doubt give me—I have no right to it. We do not entirely depend on ourselves, Odile. And then it pleases me to show you how sacred you are to me. Tell me at least that I shall take away with me a little of your soul?"
The lips so near his murmured "Yes!" And almost immediately:
"Do you hear down there? Is that the first Easter bell?"
They turned together towards the side where the wood sloped downwards.
"No; it must be the wind in the trees."
"Come," said she: "the bells are going to ring. And if I were not seen up there when they rang, old Rose would speak of it...."
Hardly saying a word, she led him to the base of the rock. There they separated to go back to the Abbey by two different paths.