She plucked off one of the flowers and, twisting it in her fingers, retraced her steps.

Then she sat down in silence, and her attitude seemed to be a consent that Newman should say more.
"Why should you say it is impossible you should marry ?" he continued.
"The only thing that could make it really impossible would be your being already married.

Is it because you have been unhappy in marriage?
That is all the more reason! Is it because your family exert a pressure upon you, interfere with you, annoy you?
That is still another reason; you ought to be perfectly free, and marriage will make you so.

I don't say anything against your family--understand that!" added Newman, with an eagerness which might have made a perspicacious observer smile.
"Whatever way you feel toward them is the right way, and anything that you should wish me to do to make myself agreeable to them I will do as well as I know how.

Depend upon that!" Madame de Cintre rose again and came toward the fireplace, near which Newman was standing.