The expression of her voice was so tender that Frédéric could not resist the temptation to look at her again, and doubtless her eyes were in accord with her voice, for he gazed at them several minutes in a sort of ecstasy; but suddenly he cried again: "What an unhappy wretch I am!" "You unhappy, Frédéric? Why so?" "You are going to be married." "Married! This is the first I've heard of it." "Oh! it's useless for you to try to conceal it from me; I know all, mademoiselle: I know that your future husband will be here in a few days, that he's a colonel, and that you love him." "What do you say? a colonel? and I love him? Upon my word, this is rather strong! What is the name of this colonel I am going to marry, if you please?" "His name! Faith! I forgot to ask that. But you must know perfectly well whom I mean. Will you say that you don't know a colonel?" "Several colonels have called on my uncle, but----" "Ah! several of them--you admit it now." "Who told you, monsieur, that I am going to be married?" "Someone who is absolutely certain of it: my father, who learned it from your uncle." "From my uncle? Why, I can't understand this at all." "You pretend not to understand; but, I doubt not, you are impatiently waiting for your future husband's arrival." Constance reflected for some little time, then replied in a tone which she struggled to make indifferent: "Really, monsieur, I am very much surprised by what you have told me; but, after all, suppose it to be true that I am to be married--how does it concern you? I imagine that it is a matter of the utmost indifference to you." "Ah! you think that, do you? You are quite right, mademoiselle; of course, it cannot make any difference to me." "Very well! then why do you ask me all these questions, monsieur?" "Why? O Constance! are you going to be married? and this colonel--do you really love him?" "And if I did love anyone--would that cause you any grief?" She was determined to force him to the wall and make him avow his sentiments. Frédéric could contain himself no longer; his heart could not keep its secret. "Yes," he cried, "I love you, I adore you! I shall die if you marry another man!" "He loves me!--Ah! it's very lucky that I have extorted that from you! I thought you would never say it." And the blushing girl gave her hand to Frédéric, who had fallen at her feet; and he covered that hand with kisses, while she said to him with deep earnestness: