could offer her a home independently of his father. If, after the
promises she had made to him, she would not wait for him without
farther words and farther vows, she would not be worth the having.
In going, he had not precisely told himself that there should be no
intercourse between them for twelve months; but the silence which he
had maintained, and his continued absence, had been the consequence
of the mood of his mind and the tenor of his purpose. The longer he
had been away from Granpere without tidings from any one there, the
less possible had it been that he should send tidings from himself
to his old home. He had not expected messages. He had not expected
any letter. But when nothing came, he told himself over and over
again that he too would be silent, and would bide his time. Then
Edmond Greisse had come to Colmar, and brought the first rumour of
Adrian Urmand's proposal of marriage.

The reader will perhaps remember that George, when he heard this
first rumour, had at once made up his mind to go over to Granpere,
and that he went. He went to Granpere partly believing, and partly
disbelieving Edmond's story. If it were untrue, perhaps she might
say a word to him that would comfort him and give him new hope. If
it were true, she would have to tell him so; and then he would say a
word to her that should tear her heart, if her heart was to be
reached. But he would never let her know that she had torn his own
to rags! That was the pride of his manliness; and yet he was so
boyish as not to know that it should have been for him to make those
overtures for a renewal of love, which he hoped that Marie would
make to him. He had gone over to Granpere, and the reader will
perhaps again remember what had passed then between him and Marie.
Just as he was leaving her he had asked her whether she was to be
married to this man. He had made no objection to such a marriage.