They understood as
well as everybody else that something was wrong,--that there was to
be some change as to Marie which perhaps would not be a change for
the better; that there was cause for melancholy, for close kissing
as though such kissing were in preparation for parting, and for soft
strokings with their little hands as though Marie were to be pitied
for that which was about to come upon her. 'Isn't somebody coming
to take you away?' little Michel asked her, when they were quite
alone. Marie had not known how to answer him. She had therefore
embraced him closely, and a tear fell upon his face. 'Ah,' he said,
'I know somebody is coming to take you away. Will not papa help
you?' She had not spoken; but for the moment she had taken courage,
and had resolved that she would help herself.
At length the day was there on which Adrian Urmand was to come. It
was his purpose to travel by Mulhouse and Remiremont, and Michel
Voss drove over to the latter town to fetch him. It was felt by
every one--it could not be but felt--that there was something
special in his coming.
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