Because marriages that drag along in that way are never good for anything!" "Those are bad reasons!" he muttered, gloomily.
"Good or bad," replied the young girl, "they appear valid to me, and I hold to them." "Reine," said he, drawing near to her and looking straight into her eyes, "can you swear, by the head of your father, that you have given me the true reason for your rejecting me ?" She became embarrassed, and remained silent.
"See!" he exclaimed, "you dare not take the oath!" "My word should suffice," she faltered.
"No; it does not suffice.

But your silence says a great deal, I tell you! You are too frank, Reine, and you don't know how to lie.

I read it in your eyes, I do.

The true reason is that you do not love me." She shrugged her shoulders and turned away her head.
"No, you do not love me.

If you had any love for me, instead of discouraging me, you would hold out some hope to me, and advise me to have patience.