“There are some things which I could not talk over with you,” said the priest, finally. “It was best that I should not. And now I hardly know what is the right thing for me to do, or to say.” 201

“What troubles you?”

“When you are cooler, it will come to you. For to-night,––until our last moment of choice,––I must ask one favour, M’sieu. You will not decide on this course until it comes to the end. You will think of other ways; you will––”

“What else have I been doing, Father? There is no other way.”

“But you will not decide yet?”

“No. We need not, to-night.”

The priest seemed relieved.

“M’sieu,” came in a low voice from the darkness within the hut, “may I not sit with you?”

“You are awake, Mademoiselle? You have not been sleeping?”

“No, I could not. I––I have not heard you, M’sieu,––I have not listened. But I wanted to very much. I have only my thoughts, and they are not the best of company to-night.”