If I were ever to hear from your lips what I have heard for this month past from your brother, if I were once to see in your eyes what I read in his, if I could fancy from a word or a look that I was as odious to you as I am to him--within one hour, mark me--within one hour I should be gone forever." "Mother, I swear to you--" "Let me speak.

For a month past I have suffered all that any creature can suffer.

From the moment when I perceived that your brother, my other son, suspected me, that as the minutes went by, he guessed the truth, every moment of my life has been a martyrdom which no words could tell you." Her voice was so full of woe that the contagion of her misery brought the tears to Jean's eyes.
He tried to kiss her, but she held him off.
"Leave me--listen; I still have so much to say to make you understand.
But you never can understand.

You see, if I stayed--I must--no, no.

I cannot." "Speak on, mother, speak." "Yes, indeed, for at least I shall not have deceived you.