Therefore, I waited to see you, to speak of your wife, of yourself, and of me." What Madame Desvarennes had just said relieved Serge of a great weight.
He felt so happy that he resolved to do everything in his power to please the mother of his betrothed.
"Speak, Madame," he exclaimed.

"I am listening to you with attention and confidence.

I am sure that from you I can only expect goodness and sense." The mistress smiled.
"Oh, I know you have a gilt tongue, my handsome friend, but I don't pay myself with words, and I, am not easy to be wheedled." "Faith," said Serge, "I won't deceive you.

I will try to please you with all my heart." Madame Desvarennes's face brightened as suddenly at these words as a landscape, wrapped in a fog, which is suddenly lighted up by the sun.
"Then we shall understand each other," she said.

"For the last fortnight we have been busy with marriage preparations, and have not been able to think or reason.