"Know nothing about it. And it will be terrible. Think of it. My mother, my grandfather, Uncle Ulrich! I hoped for your support, Jean, to help me overcome all these difficulties, and to help me also to heal all the wounds I am going to inflict. First of all, von Farnow must be introduced to mamma, who does not know him. Alsheim is quite impossible. We have been thinking of a meeting at some mutual friend's house in Strasburg. But if I have to consider you as one more enemy, what good is there in my telling you my plans?" They stood still, Jean reflecting for a moment, as he faced the plain, which unrolled its strips of barley, and young corn, intermingling at the edges like the flow and counterflow of running water. Then, gathering his thoughts together and looking at Lucienne, who was waiting for his words, with raised face, suppliant, restless, and ardent. "You cannot imagine how much I am suffering. You have destroyed all my joy!" "My dear, I did not know about your love!" "And I--I have not the courage to destroy yours...." Lucienne threw her arms round his neck. "How generous you are, Jean! How good you are!" He put her away from him, and said sadly: "Not so generous as you imagine, Lucienne, for that would be to show myself very weak. No; I do not approve of your decision. I have no confidence in your happiness...." "But at least you will leave me free? You will not go against me? You will help me against mamma?" "Yes, since you have gone so far, and since our father has given his consent, and since our mother's opposition might only cause still greater unhappiness...." "You are right, Jean. Greater unhappiness, for father told me that----" "Yes, I guess. He told you that he would crush all opposition, that he would leave our mother rather than give in. That is all very likely. He would do it. I shall not enter into any struggle with him. Only, I keep my liberty of action with regard to von Farnow." "What do you mean by that?" she asked quickly. "I wish," Jean replied, in a tone of authority, in which Lucienne felt her brother's invincible determination, "I wish to let him know exactly what I think. I shall find some means of having an explanation with him. If he persists, after that, in his desire to marry you, he will make no mistake, at least as to the difference of feeling and ideas which separate us." "I do not mind that," answered Lucienne, reassured, and she smiled, being certain that von Farnow would stand the trial. She turned towards Alsheim. A cry of victory was on her lips, but she restrained it. For some time she stood silent, breathing quickly, and seeking with her eyes and mind what she could say so that her happiness should not appear an insult to her brother. Then she shook her head.