Was it not enough, and too much, to have left him to pass the entire winter alone here while I was dancing in Paris ?" "It was very proper, of course, and I do not blame you.

But why does the very thing you so much desired two months ago bore you so terribly now?
In Paris you talked all the time of Bergenheim, longed only for Bergenheim, you had duties to fulfil, you wished to be with your husband; you bothered and wore me out with your conjugal love.

When back at Bergenheim, you dream and sigh for Paris.

Do not shake your head; I am an old aunt to whom you pay no heed, but who sees clearly yet.

Will you do me the favor to tell me what it is that you regret in Paris at this time of the year, when there are no balls or parties, and not one human being worth visiting, for all the people you know are in the country?
Is it because--" Mademoiselle de Corandeuil did not finish her sentence, but she put a severity into these three words which seemed to condense all the quintessence of prudery that a celibacy of sixty years could coagulate in an old maid's heart.
Clemence raised her eyes to her aunt's face as if to demand an explanation.
It was such a calm, steady glance that the latter could not help being impressed by it.
"Well," said she, softening her voice, "there is no necessity for putting on such queenly airs; we are here alone, and you know that I am a kind aunt to you.