"If that is so, you will have to say adieu forever one of these days to the people at Châteaubrun; for _ma mie_ Janille is not the woman to sleep long when danger is brewing." "That word offends me; I do not think that I can be accused of bringing danger upon a person whose reputation and dignity are as sacred to me as to her kindred and dearest friends." "That sounds very well, but it isn't a straight answer to all my questions. Do you want me to tell you something?--early last week I went to Châteaubrun to borrow of Antoine a tool that I needed. I found _ma mie_ Janille there; she was all alone, expecting you. You didn't come and she told me all. And now, my boy, if she didn't frown on you Sunday, and if she allows you to call from time to time to see her girl, you are indebted to me for it." "How so, my good Jean?" "Because I have more confidence in you than you have in me. I told _ma mie_ Janille that if you loved Gilberte you would marry her, and that I would answer for you on the salvation of my soul." "And you were right, Jean," cried Emile, grasping the carpenter's hand; "you never told a greater truth." "Very good! but the question still remains whether you are in love, and that is what you won't tell me." "It is what I can tell you alone, since you question me so closely. Yes, Jean, I love her, I love her more than my life, and I mean to marry her." "I give my consent," replied Jean in a tone of enthusiastic satisfaction, "and so far as I am concerned, I join your hands--One moment! one moment!--provided that Gilberte gives her consent too." "And if she should ask your advice, my good Jean, who are her friend and second father?" "I should tell her that she can make no better choice, that you suit me and that I am willing to be your surety." "Good! now my friend, we only have to obtain the consent of the parents." "Oh! I'll answer for Antoine, if I take hold of the affair. He has some pride, and he will be afraid that your father may hesitate, but I know what to say to him on that subject." "What will you say to him, pray?" "Something that you don't know, something that nobody knows but me. I don't need to speak yet, for the time has not come, and you can't think of marrying for a year or two." "Jean, confide this secret to me as I confided mine to you. I see but one obstacle to our marriage, my father's obstinacy. I have resolved to overcome it, but I do not conceal from myself that it is very serious." "Well, as you have been so trustful and frank with old Jean, old Jean will be the same with you. Listen, my boy; before long your father will be ruined and will have no further excuse for putting on airs with the Châteaubrun family." "If what you say should turn out to be true, I should bless your strange prophecy, notwithstanding my father's inevitable grief and disappointment; for I have many reasons for dreading this great wealth."