Marguerite saw no harm in the country woman's sleeping with Blanche, but rather hoped to gain an advantage thereby in keeping all night the precious relic; and, as her mind had been struck with the idea that some misfortune was going to happen to her, the possession of the little scrap of cloth seemed to her like a benefaction of Providence. "It's true," said she, at last, "that the weather is frightful, and if Ursule will not forget to go away before daybreak--" "Oh, yes, dear nurse, and if she is asleep I promise you I will wake her." "Very well, then I'm willing that she should remain." "Oh, how delightful," said Blanche, "we shall sleep together, Ursule. I have never slept with anyone. How we shall chat and laugh." "No, indeed, no, indeed," said Marguerite; "on the contrary you must go to sleep without making any noise that monsieur could hear." "Very well, we will go to sleep, dear nurse," responded the amiable child, and she added in Urbain's ear, "We will talk very low." "Well, in that case I will go to bed," said the old servant hesitating to return that which she held in her hand. "My dear Ursule," she said at last, "you have nothing to fear here. If you would permit me to keep your talisman for this night only, because I sleep in a room that is not safe and I can't get that bat out of my head." "Oh, keep it, Mademoiselle Marguerite," said Urbain, "may it do you much pleasure." "Yes, keep it, dear nurse," said Blanche, "besides we have mine, that will be enough for us, will it not, Ursule?" "But--yes, I believe so, mademoiselle." Marguerite, delighted to possess a safeguard for the whole night, lighted her lamp and turned towards the door, saying,-- "Good night, my children, good night. Mercy, what a gust of wind. Ursule, you must go tomorrow before daybreak." "Yes, mademoiselle." "Go to bed as quickly as possible, and extinguish your light, that no one may suspect anything." "Be easy, dear nurse," said Blanche, "we'll soon put it out." Marguerite took her lamp and left the room. Blanche closed the door after her. "Shut your door tight," said the old woman. "Yes, dear nurse," answered the young girl, and she drew the bolt. CHAPTER XVI HOW WILL IT END When one loves ardently, and when one sees that moment approach which heralds the consummation of his dearest wishes, when one is for the first time entirely alone with the beloved of his heart, one experiences an uneasiness, an agitation which one cannot quell, and which one cannot reasonably account for; it is almost as though one feared that one's being would be unable to support the realization of this exquisite happiness, as though one doubted whether hopes so sweet, and which have hitherto been so unattainable, can ever be realized.