To all appearance this little scene is soon forgotten; luckily for Sophy, Emile, at least, is unaware of it.  We continue our walk, the young people at first keeping close beside us; but they find it hard to adapt themselves to our slower pace, and presently they are a little in front of us, they are walking side by side, they begin to talk, and before long they are a good way ahead.  Sophy seems to be listening quietly, Emile is talking and gesticulating vigorously; they seem to find their conversation interesting.  When we turn homewards a full hour later, we call them to us and they return slowly enough now, and we can see they are making good use of their time.  Their conversation ceases suddenly before they come within earshot, and they hurry up to us.  Emile meets us with a frank affectionate expression; his eyes are sparkling with joy; yet he looks anxiously at Sophy’s mother to see how she takes it.  Sophy is not nearly so much at her ease; as she approaches us she seems covered with confusion at finding herself tete-a-tete with a young man, though she has met so many other young men frankly enough, and without being found fault with for it.  She runs up to her mother, somewhat out of breath, and makes some trivial remark, as if to pretend she had been with her for some time.

From the happy expression of these dear children we see that this conversation has taken a load off their hearts.  They are no less reticent in their intercourse, but their reticence is less embarrassing, it is only due to Emile’s reverence and Sophy’s modesty, to the goodness of both.  Emile ventures to say a few words to her, she ventures to reply, but she always looks at her mother before she dares to answer.  The most remarkable change is in her attitude towards me.  She shows me the greatest respect, she watches me with interest, she takes pains to please me; I see that I am honoured with her esteem, and that she is not indifferent to mine.  I understand that Emile has been talking to her about me; you might say they have been scheming to win me over to their side; yet it is not so, and Sophy herself is not so easily won.  Perhaps Emile will have more need of my influence with her than of hers with me.  What a charming pair!  When I consider that the tender love of my young friend has brought my name so prominently into his first conversation with his lady-love, I enjoy the reward of all my trouble; his affection is a sufficient recompense.

Our visit is repeated.  There are frequent conversations between the young people.  Emile is madly in love and thinks that his happiness is within his grasp.  Yet he does not succeed in winning any formal avowal from Sophy; she listens to what he says and answers nothing.  Emile knows how modest she is, and is not surprised at her reticence; he feels sure that she likes him; he knows that parents decide whom their daughters shall marry; he supposes that Sophy is awaiting her parents’ commands; he asks her permission