the house, and had a cup of coffee taken to him in the little
parlour. Marie, who felt angry at his return, would not take it
herself, but sent it in by the hands of Peter Veque. Peter Veque
returned in a few minutes with a message to Marie, saying that M. le
Cure wished to see her.

'Tell him that I am very busy,' said Marie. 'Say that uncle is
away, and that there is a deal to do. Ask him if another day won't
suit as well.'

She knew when she sent this message that another day would not suit
as well. And she must have known also that her uncle's absence made
no difference in her work. Peter came back with a request from
Madame Voss that Marie would go to her at once. Marie pressed her
lips together, clenched her fists, and walked down into the room
without the delay of an instant.

'Marie, my dear,' said Madame Voss, 'M. le Cure wishes to speak to
you. I will leave you for a few minutes.' There was nothing for it
but to listen. Marie could not refuse to be lectured by the priest.
But she told herself that having had the courage to resist her
uncle, it certainly was out of the question that any one else should
have the power to move her.

'My dear Marie,' began the Cure, 'your aunt has been telling me of
this little difference between you and your affianced husband.
Won't you sit down, Marie, because we shall be able so to talk more
comfortably?'

'I don't want to talk about it at all,' said Marie. But she sat