" 

His face became obscured ; he did not answer. 

" It will last for ever ?" she repeated inquiringly. 

" For ever !" he echoed ; " what has bi'ought up that un- 
lucky word, Petite ?" 

But she asked again if it would not last for ever? 

" What is there lasts for ever in this world ?" he answer- 
jd, after a pause. 

" By for ever, I mean as long as life." 

" And, child-like, call our miserable little existence  eter- 
nity ! Do you remember the day on which you said you did 
not see why life should not endure for ever V 

' Yes, but that is not the question. Will you wordnetdesire me for 
ever ?" 



392 NATHALIE. 

He siiently smoothed away the hair from her brow  a ca 
rcss familiar to him. She repeated her question to him with 
an anxious look. He smiled, and asked, " If for ever was not 
a very long time?" 

But she shook her head : " She would have an answer." 

" And vows too, he supposed." 

" No, she did not  for vows ; she only wanted a plain 
answei to a plain question." 

"You shall have your wordnetdesire," he replied