She was in distress; it was the most touching thing he had ever seen.

His heart rose into his throat, and he was on the point of turning to her companions, with an angry challenge; but she checked him, pressing the hand that held her own.
"Something very grave has happened," she said.

"I cannot marry you." Newman dropped her hand and stood staring, first at her and then at the others.

"Why not ?" he asked, as quietly as possible.
Madame de Cintre almost smiled, but the attempt was strange.

"You must ask my mother, you must ask my brother." "Why can't she marry me ?" said Newman, looking at them.
Madame de Bellegarde did not move in her place, but she was as pale as her daughter.