“But how shall I tell him, Marie?  He is so unlike other men.  Henri is his friend, and yet he has never spoken to him about me, nor to my father.  If he would ask my hand from Henri, as another would, Henri would talk to him, and explain to him that it could not be-that my heart is too much occupied with other cares, to care for loving or being loved.”

“That means, Agatha, till the right lover comes.”

“No, Marie; but till these wars are over.  Not that I could ever love Adolphe Denot; but now, at present, methinks love should be banished from the country, and not allowed to return till the King is on his throne again.”

“Well, Agatha, I don’t know.  That would be somewhat hard upon us poor girls, whose lovers are more to our taste, than M. Denot is to yours.  I know not that our knights will fight the worse for a few stray smiles, though the times be so frightful.”

“Do you smile on yours then, Marie; and I will smile to see you happy.  But tell me, dearest, what shall I say to Adolphe?  You would not have me give him hope, when I feel I can never love him?”

“God forbid!—­why should you?  But has he never spoken to Henri on the subject, or to the Marquis?”

“Never a word.  I’m sure he never spoke of it to my father, and Henri told me that he had never said a word to him.”

“Then you have spoken to your brother on the subject?  And what did he say?”

“He said just what a dear, good brother should have said.  He said he was sorry for his friend, but that on no account whatever would he sacrifice his sister’s happiness.”

“M.  Larochejaquelin always does just what he ought to do.  He is as good and kind to you as Charles is to me.”

“Henri and I are so nearly of an age; we were always companions together.  I do not think any lover will be agreeable to me as long as he is with me.”

“But if he should take a love of his own, Agatha?  It wont do, you know, for sisters to monopolize their brothers; or what shall we spinters do?”

“He shall bring his love here, and she shall be my own sister.  If he makes the choice I think he will, I shall not have to open a new place in my heart for her, shall I, Marie?”

“Nay, I know not.  Now it is you that wander from the subject.”

“And it is cruel in you to bring me back to it.  If he proposes to me tomorrow, Marie, what shall I say to him?”

“Keep out of his way tomorrow.  He goes on Monday morning.”

“It is very well to say, ‘Keep out of his way;’ but if he formally demands an interview, I cannot refuse it.”

“If he formally desires an interview, do you give him a formal reception:  if he formally offers you his hand, do you formally decline the honour.”

“I would it were you, Marie, that he loved.”

“A thousand thanks to you, Mademoiselle Larochejaquelin.  I appreciate your generosity, but really I have no vacancy for M. Denot, just at present.”