The lovers, amid
their increasing happiness, had never thought of this long separation;
so that when Henri was told by his father that he must leave home, and
be away three years, and Louise informed by her mother of the same
circumstance, the intelligence came upon them like an earthquake.
Woman's feelings are more easily excited, and Louise felt as if Verny
would be a desert without her dear Henri; he too was sad enough,
although the preparations for his journey occupied the greatest portion
of his time, and prevented his so continually thinking of the separation
as she did. Grief and regret were useless; the parting hour arrived, and
the now miserable pair were left to themselves. They mutually made vows
of eternal constancy and fidelity; as is the custom in the provinces,
they _exchanged rings_, and became rather more resigned to their
unavoidable separation.
Henri at last departed, and was ten miles from Verny before he could
comprehend how he had summoned up resolution enough to leave it.
Louise, shut up in her little room, was weeping bitterly, and felt
no inclination to go out, since she could no longer meet Henri; but,
in a short time, both of them, without feeling less regret, bethought
themselves of making the wearisome interval useful to their future
prospects.
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