Before the hour of supper came, her aunt had been with her, and she had promised to see her suitor alone. There had been some doubt on this point between Michel and his wife, Madame Voss thinking that either she or her husband ought to be present. But Michel had prevailed. 'I don't care what any people may say,' he replied. 'I know my own girl;--and I know also what he has a right to expect.' So it was settled, and Marie understood that Adrian was to come to her in the little brightly furnished sitting-room upstairs. On this occasion she took no notice of the hotel supper at all. It is to be hoped that Peter Veque proved himself equal to the occasion. At about nine she was seated in the appointed place, and Madame Voss brought her lover up into the room. 'Here is M. Urmand come to speak to you,' she said. 'Your uncle thinks that you had better see him alone. I am sure you will bear in mind what it is that he and I wish.' Then she closed the door, and Adrian and Marie were left together. 'I need hardly tell you,' said he, 'what were my feelings when your uncle came to me yesterday morning. And when I opened your letter and read it, I could hardly believe that it had come from you.' 'Yes, M. Urmand;--it did come from me.' 'And why--what have I done? The last word you had spoken to me was to declare that you would be my loving wife.' 'Not that, M. Urmand; never that. When I thought it was to be so, I told you that I would do my best to do my duty by you.' 'Say that once more, and all shall be right.' 'But I never promised that I would love you. I could not promise that; and I was very wicked to allow them to give you my troth. You can't think worse of me than I think of myself.' 'But, Marie, why should you not love me? I am sure you would love me.'