His wife, and I know that thou wilt love him, and be true, as if thou hadst never loved another--" "Ay, could I not be true, I would not wed," murmured Marie, more to herself than to her father; "and if suffering indeed, atone for sin, terribly will it be redeemed.

But oh, my father, tell me--I have sworn to be guided by thee, and in all things I will be--tell me, in wedding him whom thou hast chosen, do I not still do foul wrong, if not to him (her voice faltered), unto another, whose love is mine as well ?" "Better for him, as for thee, to wed another, Marie! Would'st thou wed the stranger, wert thou free ?" She buried her face in his bosom, and murmured, "Never!" "Then in what can this passion end, but in misery for both?
In constant temptation to perjure thy soul, in forsaking all for him.

And if thou didst, would it bring happiness?
My child, thou art absolved, even had aught of promise passed between you.

Knowest thou not that a maiden of herself hath no power to vow?
Her father's will alone absolves it or confirms.

Thou doest him no wrong.