mother, that is my opinion, but the women whom you advised
me to ask don't suit me. Whenever I see them, instead of forgetting my
Catherine, I think of her all the more."

"Apparently that 's because we have n't been able to understand your
taste. You must help us by telling us the truth. There must be a woman
somewhere who is made for you, for God does n't make anybody without
placing his happiness in somebody else. So if you know where to find
this woman whom you need, take her, and be she pretty or ugly, young or
old, rich or poor, we have made up our minds, my husband and I, to give
our consent, for we are tired of seeing you so sad, and we can never be
happy while you are sorrowful."

"My mother, you are as kind as the kind Lord, and so is my father,"
answered Germain; "but your compassion brings small help to my troubles,
for the girl I love does n't care for me."

"She is too young, then? It's foolish for you to love a young girl."

"Yes, mother dear, I have been foolish enough to love a young girl, and
it 's my fault. I do my best to stop thinking of it, but, working or
sleeping, at mass or in bed, with my children or with you, I can think
of nothing else."

"Then it 's like a fate cast over you, Germain. There 's but one remedy,
and it is that this girl must change her mind and listen to you. It's my
duty to look into this, and see whether it 's practicable. Tell me where
she lives, and what 's her name."

"Oh, my dear mother, I dare not," said Germain, "because you will make
fun of me."

"I shall not make fun of you, Germain, because you are in trouble, and I
don't wish to make it harder for you. Is it Fanchette?"

"No, mother, of course not."

"Or Rosette?"

"No."

"Tell me, then, for I shall never finish if I must name every girl in
the country-side."

Germain bowed his head, and could not bring himself to answer.

"Very good," said Mother Maurice, "I shall let you alone for to-day;
to-morrow, perhaps, you will be more confidential with me, or possibly
your sister-in-law will question you more cleverly." And she picked up
her basket to go and spread her linen on the bushes.

Germain acted like children who make up their minds when they see that
they are no longer attracting attention. He followed his mother, and at
length, trembling, he named Marie of Guillette.

Great was the surprise of Mother Maurice. Marie was the last person she
would have dreamed of. But she had the delicacy not to