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Rh youth. If she wants you, take her. I'll go and ask her."

M. Hervart was on the point of saying there was no need. But luckily he checked himself and M. Des Boys questioned his daughter.

"I should like to," she said.

M. Des Boys returned.

"She said, 'I should like to.' She said it without enthusiasm, but she said it. Now go and arrange things yourselves. I shall go on with my painting."

M. Hervart admired Rose still more for her astute answer.

The girl was waiting for him as he came towards her, serious, scarcely smiling, but beautiﬁed by the profound emotion that she could scarcely contain. She gave him her hand, then her forehead; and when M. Hervart drew her into his arms, she burst into tears.