"We have already suffered much from that. But he is my father. He is set on keeping me here; he says it every day. When he knows that I have chosen you, Odile, if he has personal projects which would prevent our marriage, he will at least put them off. Do not have any fear; we shall win!" "We shall win!" she repeated. "I am sure of it, Odile. You will make my life, Odile, which will be difficult, perhaps impossible, if you were not there. It was for you that I came back to the country. If I tell you that I have travelled much, and found no woman who had the charm for me that you have, or who made the same impression on me--how shall I tell you? The impression of a mountain stream so fresh and deep! Every time I think of my future marriage your image comes before my eyes. I love you, Odile!" He took Odile's hand, and she answered, lifting her eyes to the light coming from above the trees. "God is my witness that I love you, too!" She thrilled with joy, and Jean felt her hand tremble. "Yes," said Jean; and he tried to look into her eyes, which were still fixed on the distance. "We shall overcome everything. We shall overcome the numerous obstacles arising from this terrible subject: that is all that is between us." "Yes; it is the one and only question in this part of the world." "It poisons everything!" She stopped, and turned her radiant face full of love to him--of that beautiful and proud love which he had longed to know and to inspire. "Say rather that it makes everything greater. Our quarrels here are not village quarrels--we are either for or against a country. We are obliged to have courage every day, to make enemies every day, every day to break with old friends who would willingly have remained faithful to us, but who are not faithful to Alsace. No action of our lives is indifferent; there is no action that is not an affirmation. I assure you, Jean, there is nobleness in that." "That is true, Odile, my beloved." They stopped to enjoy that delicious word to the full. Their souls were in their eyes, and they looked at each other tremblingly. In low tones, although there were no onlookers other than the pines swayed by the wind, they spoke of the future as of a battle already begun. "Lucienne will be on my side," said Jean. "I shall entrust my secret to her when occasion occurs. She will help me, and I count on her." "I count on my father," said Odile; "for he is already well disposed towards you. But take care not to do anything that would annoy him. Do not try to see me at Alsheim. Do not try to hurry on the time." "That glorious time when you will be mine!" They smiled at each other for the first time. "I love you so dearly," continued Jean, "that I shall not ask you for the kiss that you would no doubt give me--I have no right to it. We do not entirely depend on ourselves, Odile. And then it pleases me to show you how sacred you are to me. Tell me at least that I shall take away with me a little of your soul?"