"Pardon me, dear madame, I beseech you! Indeed, I know not myself what has come over me, but for the last two days my heart has seemed full almost to bursting. I cannot restrain my tears, though I know not wherefore I weep. A fearful dread of some great evil about to befall me weighs down my spirits and resists every attempt to shake it off." "Come! come! I shall scold you in earnest if you thus give way to imaginary terrors." At this moment Claudine, whose previous tap at the door had been unheard, entered the room. "What is it, Claudine?" "Madame, Pierre has just arrived from Arnouville, in Madame Dubreuil's chaise; he brings a letter for you which he says is of great importance." Madame Georges took the paper from Claudine's hand, opened it and read as follows: "MY DEAR MADAME GEORGES: "You could do me a considerable favour, and assist me under very perplexing circumstances, by hastening to the farm here without delay. Pierre has orders to wait till you are ready, and will drive you back after dinner. I really am in such confusion that I hardly know what I am about. M. Dubreuil has gone to the wool-fair at Pontoise; I have, therefore, no one to turn to for advice and assistance but you and Marie. Clara sends her best love to her very dear adopted sister, and anxiously expects her arrival. Try to be with us by eleven o'clock, to luncheon. "Ever yours most sincerely, "F. DUBREUIL." "What can possibly be the matter?" asked Madame Georges of Fleur-de-Marie; "fortunately the tone of Madame Dubreuil's letter is not calculated to cause alarm." "Do you wish me to accompany you, madame?" asked the Goualeuse. "Why, that would scarcely be prudent, so cold as it is. But, upon second thoughts," continued Madame Georges, "I think you may venture if you wrap yourself up very warm; it will serve to raise your spirits, and possibly the short ride may do you good." The Goualeuse did not immediately reply, but, after a few minutes' consideration, she ventured to say: "But, madame, M. le Curé expects me this evening, at five o'clock, at the rectory." "But I promise you to be back in good time for you to keep your engagement; now will you go?" "Oh, thank you, madame! Indeed, I shall be so delighted to see Mlle. Clara." "What! again?" uttered Madame Georges, in a tone of gentle reproach. "Mlle. Clara? She does not speak so distantly to you when she addresses you." "Oh, no, madame!" replied the poor girl, casting down her eyes, while a bright flush rose even to her temples; "but there is so great a difference between us that--"