"Be a wife; God will make you a mother, and you will be saved." Jeanne bowed herself at these words.

She no longer felt in them the selfishness of the mother.

What the mistress now said was sincere and true.

It was no longer her agitated and alarmed heart that inspired her; it was her conscience, calm and sincere.
"Very well; I will obey you," said the young wife, simply.

"Kiss me then, mother." She bent her brow, and Madame Desvarennes let tears of gratitude and admiration fall on it.