"I will be brave; I will do all you wish." When the young man had dried his tears: "You are right," he said; "we cannot return to Plassans.

But the time for cowardice has not yet come.
If we come out of the struggle triumphant, I will go for aunt Dide, and we will take her ever so far away with us.

If we are beaten----" He stopped.
"If we are beaten ?" repeated Miette, softly.
"Then be it as God wills!" continued Silvere, in a softer voice.

"I most likely shall not be there.

You will comfort the poor woman.