ore a magistrate or a priest, you will refuse."

"I promise you by all that is most sacred to me in the world, namely, by
my mother."

"We will wait, then," said Morrel.

"Yes, we will wait," replied Valentine, who revived at these words;
"there are so many things which may save unhappy beings such as we are."

"I rely on you, Valentine," said Morrel; "all you do will be well
done; only if they disregard your prayers, if your father and Madame de
Saint-Meran insist that M. d'Epinay should be called to-morrow to sign
the contract"--

"Then you have my promise, Maximilian."

"Instead of signing"--

"I will go to you, and we will fly; but from this moment until then, let
us not tempt providence, let us not see each other. It is a miracle, it
is a providence that we have not been discovered. If we were surprised,
if it were known that we met thus, we should have no further resource."

"You are right, Valentine; but how shall I ascertain?"

"From the notary, M. Deschamps."

"I know him."

"And for myself--I will write to you, depend on me. I dread this
marriage, Maximilian, as much as you."

"Thank you, my adored Valentine, thank you; that is enough. When once I
know the hour, I will hasten to this spot, you can easily get over this
fence with my assistance, a carriage will await us at the gate, in which
you will accompany me to my sister's; there living, retired or mingling
in society, as you wish, we shall be enabled to use our power to resist
oppression, and not suffer ourselves to be put to death like sheep,
which only defend themselves by sighs."

"Yes," said Valentine, "I will now acknowledge you are right,
Maximilian; and now are you satisfied with your betrothal?" said the
young girl sorrowfully.

"My adored Valentine, words cannot express one half of my satisfaction."
Valentine had approached, or rather, had placed her lips so near the
fence, that they nearly touched those of Morrel, which were pressed
against the other side of the cold and inexorable barrier. "Adieu, then,
till we meet again," said Valentine, tearing herself away. "I shall hear
from you?"

"Yes."

"Thanks, thanks, dear love, adieu!" The sound of a kiss was heard, and
Valentine fled through the avenue. Morrel listened to catch the last
sound of her dress brushing the branches, and of her footstep on the
gravel, then raised his eyes with an ineffable smile of thankfulness to
heaven for being permitted to be thus loved, and then a