"You seem to be in a doubting mood to-day; you are not every day so mistrustful." "No, not every day; I am not naturally distrustful. Are you, M. de Villemer?" Urbain was always a little startled when questioned directly about himself. It cost him an effort to interrogate others, and to be questioned in return caused him a species of trouble. "I," he answered, after a moment's hesitation,--"I do not know. I should be very much at a loss how to tell you what I am--at this moment especially." "Yes, you appear to be preoccupied," rejoined Caroline; "do not make an effort to speak to me, M. de Villemer." "Pardon me, I want--I would like to speak with you; but it is a very delicate matter. I do not know how to begin." "Ah! indeed? You disquiet me a little. And yet it seems to me that it will be well for me to know what you are thinking about just now." "Well--yes, you are right. Quick, then, for we may be interrupted at any moment. I shall not have to say much, I hope, to make you understand me. I love my brother; to-day especially I love him tenderly. I am certain of his sincerity; but his imagination is very lively,--you have just had evidence of that. In short, if he has been a little too persistent in his endeavor to change the unfavorable impression of him which perhaps you may not have at all, and which, in any case, he does not merit but to a certain degree, I would like to have you promise to speak of it to my mother and to my mother only. Do not think it strange or impertinent in me to volunteer my advice. I have such a desire to see my mother happy, and I see so clearly that you already contribute largely to her happiness, the society of an intelligent and worthy person is so necessary to her, and it would probably be so impossible for her to replace you, that I would, knowing you to be happy and satisfied in your position, like to believe that you will always be with her. And now you know the only thing upon which I have been preoccupied." "I thank you for this explanation, M. de Villemer," replied Caroline, "and I will confess I expected that your integrity would some day consent to give it." "My integrity? But my whole explanation consists in this: my brother is light-hearted, amiable, and if his gayety has become painful to you, my mother, able to restrain him and possessing in that respect an ascendency over him which I cannot have, would on the one hand know how to reassure you, and how on the other, to keep my brother's vivacity of speech within proper bounds."