Trembling with uneasiness and curiosity, she gazed intently at the old man while he glanced through the short letter, making a strong effort to conceal the annoyance given him by the few lines. Then suddenly starting up, and feigning great indignation, he tore the letter into shreds, crushed the pieces between his hands and hurled them under his desk. "Ah, monsieur, what have you done!" cried Mariette in dismay. "Ah! my poor child!" sighed the old man, looking at her pityingly. "My God! something has happened M. Louis!" she gasped, clasping her hands together. "No, my child--but you must forget him." "Forget him?"' "Yes, believe me; you must renounce your cherished hopes." "Heavens! what has happened?" "Ignorance is a very sad thing, my poor child; and yet, at this moment, I would pity you if you could read." "But, monsieur, what does the letter contain?" "You must think no more of your marriage--" "Does M. Louis write that?" "Yes; he appeals to your generosity and delicacy, as well as your kindness of heart." "M. Louis gives me up--and tells me to give him up also," she said slowly. "Alas! yes, poor child! Come, be brave and resigned." Mariette turned ghastly pale and stood silent for a moment, while big tears rolled down her cheeky; then, falling to her knees, she gathered the fragments of the torn letter and placed them on the desk before the old man's eyes. "I shall have the courage to hear it through," she said sadly; "replace the pieces and read it." "Please don't insist, my child, I beg of you," he rejoined, with hypocritical sympathy. "In mercy, read it, monsieur!" "But--" "However painful it may be for me to listen, I must know its contents." "I have already told you what it contained--spare yourself useless pain." "Have pity on me, monsieur! In the name of heaven, read it--read it! I must at least know the full extent of my misfortune--and, besides, there may be one line or word of consolation." "Since you insist on it, my poor child, I shall read it," said the old man, readjusting the torn pieces, while Mariette looked on with eyes dimmed with tears, her heart throbbing with anguish. "Here it is." "My Dear Mariette: "I write these few words in haste, my soul filled with the sadness of death. We must renounce our hopes, for I must secure comfort and rest for my father in his old days. You know how much I love my father. I have given my word, and we shall never meet again. "One last prayer: I address myself to your delicacy of feelings and generosity of heart--do not attempt to see me again, or change my resolution. I must choose between you and my father; and if I see you again I may not have the courage to do my duty as a son. My father's fate lies in your hands, and I count on your generosity. Farewell, I can write no more. "Farewell once more, Farewell forever! Louis."