Plumet told her you had done so, and also removed the obstacle in my path.  I met her in Italy, thanks entirely to you; and you clinched the proposal which had been begun by Flamaran.  To crown all, the very situation I desired has been obtained for me by my father-in-law.  What have I had to do?  I have loved, sorrowed, and suffered, nothing more; and now I tremble at the thought that I owe my happiness to every one I know except myself.”

“Cease to tremble, my friend; don’t be surprised at it, and don’t alter your system in the least.  Your happiness is your due; what matter how God chooses to grant it?  Suppose it is an income for life paid to you by your relatives, your friends, the world in general, and the natural order of things?  Well, draw your dividends, and don’t bother about where they come from.”

Since Lampron said so, and he is a philosopher, I think I had better follow his advice.  If you don’t mind, Jeanne, I will cherish no ambition beyond your love, and refrain from running after any increase in wealth or reputation which might prove a decrease in happiness.  If you agree, Jeanne, we shall see little of society, and much of our friends; we shall not open our windows wide enough for Love, who is winged, to fly out of them.  If such is your pleasure, Jeanne, you shall direct the household of your own sweet will—­I should say, of your sweet wisdom; you shall be queen in all matters of domestic economy, you shall rule our goings-out and our comings-in, our visits, our travels.  I shall leave you to guide me, as a child, along the joyous path in which I follow your footsteps.  I am looking up at Jeanne.  She has not said “No.”

     ETEXT editor’s bookmarks: 

     All that a name is to a street—­its honor, its spouse
     Distrust first impulse
     Felix culpa
     Hard that one can not live one’s life over twice
     He always loved to pass for being overwhelmed with work
     I don’t call that fishing
     If trouble awaits us, hope will steal us a happy hour or two
     Obstacles are the salt of all our joys
     People meeting to “have it out” usually say nothing at first
     The very smell of books is improving
     There are some blunders that are lucky; but you can’t tell
     You ask Life for certainties, as if she had any to give you

     ETEXT editor’s bookmarks for the entire ink stain: 

     All that a name is to a street—­its honor, its spouse
     Came not in single spies, but in battalions
     Distrust first impulse
     Felix culpa
     Happy men don’t need company
     Hard that one can not live one’s life over twice
     He always loved to pass for being overwhelmed with work
     I don’t call that fishing
     If trouble awaits us, hope will steal us a happy hour or two
     Lends—­I should say gives