He had read my heart.

On leaving the house of Baron d'Escorval, on that Sunday evening, which you must remember, the compact that bound me to your father was made.
"'You love my daughter, my boy,' said he.

'Very well, aid me, and I promise you, in case we succeed, she shall be your wife.

Only,' he added, 'I must warn you that you hazard your life.' "But what was life in comparison with the hope that dazzled me! From that night I gave body, soul, and fortune to the cause.

Others were influenced by hatred, or by ambition; but I was actuated by neither of these motives.
"What did the quarrels of the great matter to me--a simple laborer?
I knew that the greatest were powerless to give my crops a drop of rain in season of drought, or a ray of sunshine during the rain.
"I took part in this conspiracy because I loved you----" "Ah! you are cruel!" exclaimed Marie-Anne, "you are pitiless!" It seemed to the poor girl that he was reproaching her for the horrible fate which Lacheneur had brought upon him, and for the terrible part which her father had imposed upon her, and which she had not been strong enough to refuse to perform.
But Chanlouineau scarcely heard Marie-Anne's exclamation.