after that she was not to be disturbed again till the morrow. On
the next morning she was to be subjected to the grand trial. She
understood this so well that she went about the house fearless on
that evening--fearless as regarded the moment, fearful only as
regarded the morrow.

'May I ask one question, dear?' said her aunt, coming to her after
she had gone to her own room. 'Have you made up your mind?'

'No,' said Marie; 'I have not made up my mind.'

Her aunt stood for a moment looking at her, and then crept out of
the room.

In the morning Michel Voss was half-inclined to release his niece,
and to tell Urmand that he had better go back to Basle. He could
see that the girl was suffering, and, after all, what was it that he
wanted? Only that she should be prosperous and happy. His heart
almost relented; and at one moment, had Marie come across him, he
would have released her. 'Let it go on,' he said to himself, as he
took up his cap and stick, and went off to the woods. 'Let it go
on. If she finds to-day that she can't take him, I'll never say
another word to press her.' He went up to the woods after
breakfast, and did not come back till the evening.

During breakfast Marie did not show herself at all, but remained
with the children. It was not expected that she should show
herself. At about noon, as soon as her uncle had started, her aunt
came to her and asked her whether she was ready to see M. Urmand.
'I am ready,' said Marie, rising from her seat, and standing upright