Jacques was again silent for awhile, but he had commenced walking very
near to his companion, and she did not appear to resent it. After a
while he said: "You are not glad that I'm going, Annot?"
"You would not have me sorry that you are going to fight with all the
other brave men, would you?"
"Is that all I am to get from you, after all? is that all the regard you
have for me? very well, Annot--it is well at any rate we should
understand each other. They were right, I find, when they told me that
you were such a coquette, you would have a dozen lovers at the same
time."
"And they were right, I find, when they told me you were too fond of
yourself ever to love any girl truly."
"Oh, Annot! and is it come to this? I'm sorry I ever came to
Echanbroignes. I'm sorry I ever saw you."
"And if you are, M. Chapeau, I'm sure I'm sorry enough I ever saw you;"
and Annot again increased the distance between her and her lover.
They walked on from hence in silence till they came to the little mill,
and each stood gazing on the stream, which ran gurgling down beneath the
ash and willow-trees, which dipped their boughs in its waters.
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