The man himself acknowledged as much in a note entrusted to my care, which I have here." And the Abbe' drew from his pocket an old, worn letter, the writing yellow with age, and placed it before Reine.

In this letter, written in Claude de Buxieres's coarse, sprawling hand, doubtless in reply to a reproachful appeal from his mistress, he endeavored to offer some kind of honorable amends for the violence he had used, and to calm Madame Vincart's remorse by promising, as was his custom, to watch over the future of the child which should be born to her.
"That child was yourself, my poor girl," continued the Abbe, picking up the letter which Reine had thrown down, after reading it, with a gesture of sickened disgust.
She appeared not to hear him.

She had buried her face in her hands, to hide the flushing of her cheeks, and sat motionless, altogether crushed beneath the shameful revelation; convulsive sobs and tremblings occasionally agitating her frame.
"You can now understand," continued the priest, "how the announcement of this projected marriage stunned and terrified me.

I could not confide to Claudet the reason for my stupefaction, and I should have been thankful if you could have understood so that I could have spared you this cruel mortification, but you would not take any intimation from me.

And now, forgive me for inflicting this cross upon you, and bear it with courage, with Christian fortitude." "You have acted as was your duty," murmured Reine, sadly, "and I thank you, Monsieur le Cure!" "And will you promise me to dismiss Claudet at once--today ?" "I promise you." The Abbe Pernot advanced to take her hand, and administer some words of consolation; but she evaded, with a stern gesture, the good man's pious sympathy, and escaped toward the dwelling.
The spacious kitchen was empty when she entered.