"We were bound to expect it, though heaven knows that we have done what we could to save her.

She was a good girl, Jacques, who loved you very dearly--dearer and better than you loved her yourself, for hers was love alone, while yours held an alloy.

Francine is dead, but all is not over yet.

We must now think about the steps necessary for her burial.

We must set about that together, and we will ask one of the neighbors to keep watch here while we are away." Jacques allowed himself to be led away by his friend.