ot seated on a stone bench,
sheltered by a trellised vine. He was occupied in cutting up pieces of
hazel-nuts to make traps for small birds.

"Good-evening, Claudet!" said the cure, without moving from his work;
"you find me busy preparing my nets; if you will permit me, I will
continue, for I should like to have my two hundred traps finished by
this evening. The season is advancing, you know! The birds will begin
their migrations, and I should be greatly provoked if I were not
equipped in time for the opportune moment. And how is Monsieur de
Buxieres? I trust he will not be less good-natured than his deceased
cousin, and that he will allow me to spread my snares on the border
hedge of his woods. But," added he, as he noticed the flurried,
impatient countenance of his visitor, "I forgot to ask you, my dear
young fellow, to what happy chance I owe your visit? Excuse my neglect!"

"Don't mention it, Monsieur le Cure. You have guessed rightly. It is a
very happy circumstance which brings me. I am about to marry."

"Aha!" laughed the Abbe, "I congratulate you, my dear young friend. This
is really delightful news. It is not good for man to be alone, and I
am glad to know you must give up the perilous life of a bachelor. Well,
tell me quickly the name of your betrothed. Do I know her?"

"Of course you do, Monsieur le Cure; there are few you know so well. It
is Mademoiselle Vincart."

"Reine?"

The Abbe flung away the pruning-knife and branch that he was cutting,
and gazed at Claudet with a stupefied air. At the same time, his
jovial face became shadowed, and his mouth assumed an expression of
consternation.

"Yes, indeed, Reine Vincart," repeated Claudet, somewhat vexed at the
startled manner of his reverence; "are you surprised at my choice?"

"Excuse me-and-is it all settled?" stammered the Abbe, with
bewilderment, "and--and do you really love each other?"

"Certainly; we agree on that point; and I have come here to arrange with
you about having the banns published."

"What! already?" murmured the cure, buttoning and unbuttoning the top
of his coat in his agitation, "you seem to be in a great hurry to go
to work. The union of the man and the woman--ahem--is a serious matter,
which ought not to be undertaken without due consideration. That is the
reason why the Church has instituted the sacrament of marriage. Hast
thou well considered, my son?"

"Why, certainly, I have reflected," exclaimed Claudet with some
ir