It was then only that in that pallor, in that sudden trembling, in that changed voice, he understood, the immensity of the mother's love for her daughter.
"I have everything to gain by that arrangement," continued he.

"My wife will be happy at not leaving you, and you will be pleased at my not having taken away your daughter.

You will both like me better, and that is all I wish." "How good you are in deciding thus, and how I thank you for it," resumed Madame Desvarennes.

"I feared you would have ideas of independence." "I should have been happy to sacrifice them to you, but I have not even that merit." All that Serge had said had been so open and plain, and expressed with such sweetness that, little by little, Madame Desvarennes's prejudices disappeared.

He took possession of her as he had done of Micheline, and as he did of every one whom he wished to conquer.