r such a marriage would be
a happy one, for it never can take place."

"Well, now we have something positive," M. Moriaz hastened to observe,
"and there is nothing to do but yield to evidence."

"Alas! yes," rejoined the abbe; and, then, after a pause, during which
he wore a reflective air, he added, "However--"

"There is no 'however,' M. l'Abbe. Believe me, your word suffices."

"But I might possibly have misunderstood."

"I have entire confidence in your ears--they are excellent."

"But pray allow me to observe that it is never worth while to despair
too soon. Do you know what? Count Larinski came recently to see me
without finding me at home. I owe him a farewell visit. To-morrow
morning, I promise you, I will call on him."

"For what purpose?" interrupted M. Moriaz. "I thank you a thousand
times for your kindly intentions, but God forbid that I should uselessly
interfere with your daily pursuits; your time is too precious! I declare
myself completely edified. I consider the proof firmly established;
there is no further doubt."

As Madame de Lorcy had remarked, Abbe Miollens was not one to easily
relax his hold upon an idea he had once deemed good. In vain M. Moriaz
combated his proposition, bestowing secret maledictions on his excess
of zeal; the abbe would not give up, and M. Moriaz was forced to be
resigned. It was agreed that the next day the worthy man should call on
Count Larinski, and that from Paris he should repair to Cormeilles, in
order to communicate to the proper person the result of his mission.
M. Moriaz perceived the advantage of having Antoinette learn from the
abbe's own lips the fatal truth; and he did not leave without impressing
upon him to be very circumspect, as prudent as a serpent, as discreet
as a father confessor. He started for home with quite a contented mind,
seeing the future lie smoothly and pleasantly before him, and it really
seemed to him that the drive from Maisons to Cormeilles was a much
shorter and more agreeable one than that from Cormeilles to Maisons.

Samuel Brohl was seated before an empty trunk, which he was apparently
about to pack, when he heard some one knock at his door. He went to open
it and found himself face to face with Abbe Miollens. From the moment of
their first meeting, Samuel Brohl had conceived for the abbe that warm
sympathy, that strong liking, with which he was always inspired by
people in whom he believed he recognised useful animals who might