But he felt that a sign of weakness on his part would place him at Jeanne's mercy, and that an avowal from his lips at this grave moment meant a breaking-off of his marriage with Micheline.

He hardened himself against his impressions, and replied, with insinuating sweetness: "Why do you speak of desertion, when a good man who loves you fondly, and who possesses a handsome fortune, wishes to marry you ?" Mademoiselle de Cernay raised her head, hastily.
"So, it is you who advise me to marry Monsieur Cayrol?
Is there nothing revolting to you in the idea that I should follow your advice?
But then, you deceived me from the first moment you spoke to me.

You have never loved me even for a day! Not an hour!" Serge smiled, and resuming his light, caressing tone, replied: "My dear Jeanne, if I had a hundred thousand francs a year, I give you my word of honor that I would not marry another woman but you, for you would make an adorable Princess." Mademoiselle de Cernay made a gesture of perfect indifference.
"Ah! what does the title matter to me ?" she exclaimed, with passion.
"What I want is you! Nothing but you!" "You do not know what you ask.

I love you far too much to associate you with my destiny.

If you knew that gilded misery, that white kid-gloved poverty, which is my lot, you would be frightened, and you would understand that in my resolution to give you up there is much of tenderness and generosity.