"I can only express my admiration for you, my dear Louis. You could not better honor the memory of your father than in acting thus. Everything shall be as you desire; I accept your trust, and will manage the estate as in the past; and I shall this very day make out the contract for the life pension you have mentioned." "Speaking of that subject, my dear friend, I must enter into details that will seem trifling to you, but which, nevertheless, have their painful side." "Well?" "The poor woman to whom this pension is to be given has been so cruelly tried during her long existence, that her character, though naturally generous, has become embittered and distrustful; a promise of happiness would be vain in her eyes, unless accompanied by palpable, material proof--therefore, to convince this unfortunate creature of the reality of the pension promised, I shall take with me the sum of fifteen thousand francs in gold, which represents the capital of her life income. It is the only means of convincing her of my good intentions toward her." "Nothing is more simple, my dear Louis," acquiesced the notary. "Take what you desire, and rest assured that the papers will be drawn this very day." After a cordial pressure of the hand, Louis left the old notary and turned in the direction of Mariette's home. CHAPTER XV. Louis found Mariette working patiently beside her godmother, who was apparently sound asleep in her bed and oblivious of her unfortunate lot for a few moments, at least. The young man's extreme pallor, the alteration of his features and their painful expression, struck Mariette at once and filled her with grave apprehensions. "My God! something has happened, Louis!" she cried, coming quickly toward him. "Yes, something terrible has happened, Mariette," he said sadly. "Have you heard of the terrible accident on the Versailles road?" "Yes, what a frightful thing! They say there was a large number of victims," she rejoined, with a shudder. "My father was of the number," he added, simply. The words had scarcely passed his lips, when he felt two soft arms encircle his neck and hot tears inundating his cheeks, while the young girl sobbed as though her heart would break. The two young people remained thus clasped in each other's arms for several moments without uttering a word. Louis was the first to break the painful silence. "My darling," he said, "you know what deep affection existed between my father and myself--you can understand my despair." "Your loss is terrible, Louis." "Your love is my only consolation, Mariette; and I shall ask a new proof--" "You have but to command--my heart is yours." "We must marry within the shortest possible delay." "Ah! Louis! can you doubt my answer for a moment? Is this the new proof of love that you ask?" she said, half reproachfully. Then, after a moment of reflection, she added sadly: "Yet we cannot marry before the end of your mourning."