I accept, noble and courageous girl."
"True! very true this time!"
"I swear it to you; and, beside, you have spoken words which have struck
me--which have given me the courage I wanted."
"What happiness! and what have I said?"
"That for you I ought to remain an honest man. Yes, in this thought I will
find the strength to resist the detestable influences which surround me.
I will brave the contagion, and will know how to preserve worthy of your
love this heart, which belongs to you!"
"Oh! Germain, how happy I am! if I have done anything for you, how you
recompense me!"
"And then, do you see, although you excuse my fault, I will not forget its
gravity. My task, for the future, shall be doubled--to atone for the past,
and deserve the happiness I owe to you. For that I will do good; for,
however poor one may be, the occasion is never wanting."
"Alas! that is true; those who are more unfortunate than one's self can
always be found."
"In default of money--"
"One gives tears, that which I did for the poor Morels. And it is holy
alms: the charity of the heart is worth more than that which gives bread."
"In fine, you accept; you will not retract?"
"Oh! never, never, my friend, my wife; yes, my courage returns; I seem to
emerge from a dream; I doubt myself no longer! I wronged myself--happily, I
wronged myself. My heart would not beat as it does beat if it had lost its
noble energy.
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