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34 had imposed duties that were clear and imperative. Mademoiselle Thérèse had willingly resigned herself during all this time to what was evidently God's holy will in her regard, and there was not the least suspicion of the longing that filled her soul. Finally the secret was practically discovered in rather a surprising manner. In company with several young girls of her own age the conversation turned upon the choice of a husband. Each in turn expressed her preferences and her ambitions. Mademoiselle Guérin alone kept a timid silence for some time; at last, when pressed to declare her choice, she made this startling reply: "My Spouse shall be King." A sudden blush, followed by deadly pallor, told that there was a secret they had not suspected. She instantly left the group, too embarrassed to withstand their curious questions. All who heard her were astonished. They said among themselves that her mother's family were devoted royalists, and a Bourbon was again on the throne of France; but what had that to do with her? Did not the law stand between her and her ambitions? None other than the most extravagant day-dreamer would have aspirations such as her words seemed to indicate. They knew well that Mademoiselle Guérin's good, practical judgment would never commit her to such vagaries. The incident, as was natural, awakened many surmises; and though the mystery could not then be cleared away, the impression soon became general that something extraordinary was contemplated by Madame Guérin's elder daughter.

The pleasures of the world had no attractions for Thérèse; vanities of dress were too puerile to engage