You would not go with him a little while ago.
It was folly.

If you separate from Cayrol, you will not be able to keep away Serge, and you will take my daughter's husband from her!" "Ah! you think only of her! Her, always! She above all!" cried Jeanne, with rage.

"But me, I exist, I count, I have the right to be protected, of being happy! And you wish me to sacrifice myself, to give myself up to this man, whom I do not love, and who terrifies me ?" This time the question was plainly put.

Madame Desvarennes became herself.

She straightened her figure, and in her commanding voice whose authority no one resisted, said: "What then?
You wish to be separated from him?
To regain your liberty at the price of scandal?
And what liberty?
You will be repulsed, disdained.
Believe me, impose silence on your heart and listen to your reason.