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229 STRAIT IS THE GATE

advent Juliette had told me of in the same letter in which she had announced our bereavement. There had been some trouble over this last confinement; Juliette had suffered from its effects for a long time; then last year, as an afterthought, she had given birth to a little girl, whom, to hear her talk, she preferred to all her other children. “My room, where she sleeps, is next door,” said she; "come and see her.” And as I was following her: "Jerome, I didn't dare write to you ... would you consent to be the baby's god father?” “Yes, with pleasure, if you would like me to, " said I, slightly surprised , as I bent over the cradle. " What is my god-daughter's name?” “Alissa ...” replied Juliette, in a whisper." She is a little like her, don't you think so ? ” I pressed Juliette's hand, without answering. Little Alissa, whom her mother lifted, opened her eyes; I took her in my arms. "What a good father you would make” said Juliette , trying to laugh. "What are you waiting for to marry?" "To have forgotten a great many things”; I replied and watched her blush. "Which you are hoping to forget soon?” "Which I do not hope ever to forget.” “Come in here,” said she, abruptly, leading the

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